Three Pike County teens graduated from the Pike County Juvenile Drug Court and four moved a step closer to graduation during a ceremony Tuesday night at the Pike County Courthouse.
The teens spoke during the graduation and told their parents, family, friends and all of the drug court staff that they would stay out of trouble and remain sober.
One of the graduates thanked God and Pike County Youth Court Judge John Price for giving him another chance, as well as the drug court staff and his mother for not giving up on him.
“First, I just want to thank God for giving me a second chance. I want to thank God for my mom and my grandmom having the patience and my friend for picking me up when my mom didn’t have a way,” he said.
The second teen, a girl from Summit, said she didn’t take drug court seriously at first, and it landed her in the Adams County Juvenile Detention Center.
“When I first started, I was careless of the rules that I was given as with curfew, drinking and smoking, so I ended up in the detention center,” she said. “From the time I got there until the time I left I knew that was not the place for me.”
She said drug court was a test and going from one phase to the next was rough, but she pushed through.
“I told myself I had to get right so I could pass it,” she said. “I want to thank my drug court support for not giving up on me and my field monitor for telling me to just stick in there. And most of all, a big thank-you to Judge Price for always being reasonable with me while always showing tough love.”
The last teen also thanked God, his mom and Price.
“I know I need to stop all the smoking and drinking and make my momma happy. I want to thank y’all for another chance,” he said.
Sen. Tammy Witherspoon, D-Magnolia, who addressed the graduates, has some experience with the subject of teens and drugs. Before becoming a state senator, Witherspoon worked as the director of the Adolescent Offender Program.
“I know the path that has led to your graduation hasn’t been easy. ... It’s been an uphill battle. This program is strict and it’s extraordinarily difficult to get though” Witherspoon told the graduates. “But the fact that you’re here is a testament to the strength that defines every individual who enters this treatment.”
Witherspoon said the program challenged the teens to be honest with themselves and their families.
“I hope that the current participants seize this opportunity in turning their lives around and rebuilding relationships with their families,” she said.
Price thanked his staff for all of the hard work they put into making sure the teens remain on the right path and graduate.
“As a politician, I can stand up here and tell you all that all of this was because of my great work, but I’d be lying. It’s because of my staff,” he said. “I’m just the guy that shows up every two weeks and fusses and complains.”
Price said it was a tough road for the three graduates, but they made it.
“These three have struggled,” he said. “It hasn’t always been easy, but the most important thing is that they got where they needed to go.”
