Princeton, W.Va. (WVVA) – The Mercer County Drug Court hosted an early Thanksgiving celebration and graduation for participants.

The voluntary, 18-month program has four phases designed to help participants overcome addiction, break the cycle of criminal behavior and reintegrate as productive members of the community.

Lakie Delida, Mercer County Adult Drug Court Coordinator, sees firsthand the effort and transformation these individuals go through.

She said: “These graduates have worked very, very hard to turn their lives around. Often to recover their children, have drug-free children, get visits with their children, start a job, build their credit score, buy vehicles and plan for life outside of treatment.”

While graduates will slowly adapt to these everyday life skills, one graduate tells us that participating is more than just a catch-up.

“I gained a relationship with God and that’s the first and most important thing I’ll never give up,” said Dwain Sheppard. “You know, the life skills I’ve gained while in this program and the friendships, the frat can never give up.”

These graduates find strength through the support of friends and family.

The goal of drug court is to help offenders become productive, law-abiding citizens while improving collaboration between criminal justice and community agencies.

The program also aims to reduce incarceration costs and improve the efficiency of the justice system.

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