CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Six people graduated from the Kanawha County Drug Court during a ceremony Thursday.
The 18-month program includes rehabilitating people with drug addictions as well as aftercare.
Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Bailey has presided over the court since its founding. She said the drug court program — both nationwide and in Kanawha County — has been recognized as one of the most successful programs in the criminal justice system.
“The national statistics is 75 percent success rate,” she said. “In Kanawha County with our graduates to date, we’re closer to eighty percent.”
The graduates were Rickey Baire, Mary Bowden, Krista Morris, Angela Maar, Ahmari Smith and Brian Spencer.
Smith said the drug court staff works to understand one’s addiction and prevent drug use.
“It’s like I’m a completely different person,” he said.
Smith began the program on April 12, 2016, and will complete the aftercare portion in October.
Smith, wearing a white shirt and a navy tie, said he continues to improve and become a stronger person.
“I didn’t even put a tie on before going to sentencing or friends’ funerals,” he said. “Today, me putting a tie on and celebrating is the greatest thing because my life before I was heading for an overdose or prison.”
Smith will be able to have his public record cleared after October as part of a hybrid plea. He said wants to take college courses and earn an associate degree in behavioral health studies and help others who are struggling with drug abuse.
“Someday, someway, I’ll be a drug coordinating counselor,” he said.
Bailey said participants are chosen based on where the individuals are being rehabilitated. She did note Kanawha County does have more resources for those in need.