I was in serious life threatening active addiction for more than 20 years & getting & staying clean any period of time was only a fleeting thought. Drug Court helped me maintain & abstain from the use of drugs & the lifestyle. It helped me continue to be accountable, responsible & dependable & live life drug free & not enslaved & imprisoned to something so deadly vicious, chaotic, hopeless & despairing. The Drug Court program wasn’t & isn’t meant to be easy, but neither was being in active addiction. However, after working & applying the program to my life the rewards & benefits are & have been immeasurably immense as they continue daily. Today my life is beautiful & most gratefully blessed & each & every day is a gift & a blessing. God loves me always & today I love myself.
 
Billie M.

I was a IV user among other things.  Today I realize that I have a choice to not use drugs, Veterans Treatment Court has taught me that.  As long as I continue in my program and do what I need to do I know I can stay clean and sober and be a productive member of society. 

Chris M.

I struggled with addiction for 20 years. After many attempts to get clean and sober. I was placed into the DC 4 13th district outpatient phase of their drug court program. Which was run by three amazingly dedicated people. Judge Norman , Julie Chambers, and Holly Roysden are three of the best people you would ever want to meet. They are there to help you anyway they can to battle your addiction. Even though there are strict rules and guidelines. The program is a tremendous excess. It gives you back structure and responsibility in your life. They have you attend classes and counseling on addiction. Attend four or five meetings a week. And work a full-time job. Along with calling in every day to see about taking mandatory drug screens. In the 18 months that I was in the 13th district drug program. It became like a family to me. I love and respect everyone that works so hard to help others in addiction. I have recently lost my father. And he was a big part of my recovery. He would come to meetings with me and attend my drug court appearances. When he passed away six weeks ago. The staff and a lot of great friends that I made that were also in the program with me all reached out to make sure that I was all right. And see if I needed anyone to talk to. I am coming up on three years clean and sober her God willing on November 10th. And a big part of that is due to my participation in the 13th District Drug Court program. I am Extreme grateful that they are now part of my family. I would really recommend this program to anyone that has struggled with alcoholism and addiction. That is wrapped up in the legal system because of their addiction. It is a hard program but if you’re willing to give up the fight on addiction and come to the winning side. This is a great program with a lot of love. If you are willing to do the work. You will come out the other side a much better person.

Walter S.

I had lost everything. I lost custody of my children, my marriage was over, lost my job, lost trust of loved ones and lost myself. Active addiction had taken control of every aspect of my life. The only thing I thought about was using. I was miserable, sad, and tired of living and had every intent of taking my own life. Thankfully, God had another plan for me. The night I planned on killing myself, the police arrested me instead. I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Drug Court. I never imagined that I could live a clean and sober life, however Drug Court taught me that I can do just that. I learned that I was worthy of a good life.
Today I have my children back. I have a great job. I have love, trust and support of family. I am happy! I have my life back! All thanks to the Good Lord and Drug Court System. And every day, I am so grateful!

Carol H.