25th Anniversary Drug Court Graduation Celebration and Cookout
It was all smiles at North Michigan Park in Northeast D.C. as DC Superior Court and the Pretrial Services Agency for DC (PSA) celebrated National Recovery Month with their September Drug Court graduation and cookout. Program graduates, family members and representatives of other agencies gathered for an afternoon of gratitude and encouragement as six people completed their final phase of the Drug Court treatment program. PSA’s Drug Court Supervisor, Antonia Green, welcomed attendees and introduced Rashida Jamall, a D.C. Superior Court Courtroom Clerk, who gave the graduates words of encouragement inspired by the book, 'Make Your Bed' by Admiral William H. McRaven. "Take pride in knowing that new endings bring new beginnings and there is no shame in beginning again. Recovery is about progression, not perfection," Ms.Jamall encouraged the grads.
Attendees then heard from Terrence Walton, Chief Operating Officer at the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. Mr. Walton shared how fulfilling his work with Drug Court had been over the last fifteen years and how he has been able to see many people find their pathway to freedom, life, and wholeness through Drug Court. He admonished the graduates as well as those still in the program to 'stay upright, but if you slip, don't fall, and if you fall, don't stay down, reach out and ask for help."
Guest speaker Anthony S. Hopkins, Motivational speaker, shared with the graduates his powerful story of overcoming drug addiction. Chiles began using cocaine at the age of seventeen and eventually found himself homeless. He expressed that, for those graduating as well for those who struggle with substance abuse and even mental illness, recovery and freedom were of the utmost importance. Hopkins, who has dedicated his life to helping those with stories similar to his, expressed his joy in being able to speak at a Drug Court graduation. "Just look at me, I'm standing in front of Judge Gardner and Judge Jackson again today, but I'm not standing in handcuffs!"
Presiding Drug Court Judge Wendell P. Gardner recognized the graduates and gave closing remarks. He mentioned how proud he was of the graduates for getting through an intense but effective program like Drug Court. "Don't look back' he said, "everything you need is in front of you."
Congratulations again to all of this year's Drug Court graduates!
For more information on drug court programs in general, and how well they work, see http://www.nadcp.org/learn/facts-and-figures.
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