The judge told 17 drug offenders they are not invited back to his courtroom.
“Not that we don’t want to see you again, but we don’t want to see you in this environment,” Richland County Common Pleas Judge Phil Naumoff said. “We don’t want to see you in this courtroom.”
The 17 former criminals graduated May 20 from the Substance Abuse Treatment Court, known as drug court.
“I want to see you out on the street,” Naumoff said. “Come up to me and tell me what a great life you’re living, how things have turned around and that you’re happy.”
The program started 24 years ago for people charged with drug-related crimes. Those who qualify are sentenced to drug court instead of prison.
“It’s tough. It’s tough for yourselves. It’s tough for us. It’s tough for your loved ones,” Naumoff said. “And so hopefully you learn from this experience.”
There are 119 people enrolled in the program. They have to check in with the common pleas judges at least twice each month. They often are subjected to random testing to ensure abstinence.
The 17 graduates earned recognition from court staff, the county’s prosecutorial team and law enforcement.
“Addictions are everywhere,” one graduate said.
The key is to pick healthy addictions, like going to the gym and working out.
Another graduate said it’s important to surround yourself with good people, keeping unhealthy acquaintances from interfering with the progress.
Several grads pointed out that, even though they never wanted to be caught, they are much happier now after a year of intense drug counseling and training.
“I have my life back,” one said.
That’s the goal of the program. The judge cautioned them to cling to their new lives and not let old habits return.
“Move on with your life,” Naumoff said. “It’s a chapter that is behind you and things will get better.”
Contact Zach Tuggle at 419-564-3508. Follow him on X at @zachtuggle.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: 17 drug court graduates get fresh start in Richland County
Reporting by Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
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