(Cleveland) – The 36th Graduation Ceremony of the Greater Cleveland Drug Court under the direction of Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Anita Laster Mays and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge David Matia will take place Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga County Jury Assembly Room.

 A total of 51 people will graduate, 29 from the county program and 22 with the city, which brings to 1,042, the number of people who successfully completed the program since it began 13 years ago.  Of that number, almost 80% remain sober and drug-free.

 The keynote speaker is Jeff Christian, founder of Christian and Timbers, a local executive search firm that became a global powerhouse.

 “I am honored to address the graduates.  I wish there had been a Drug Court program for me before I lost everything, including my family, my business, and my freedom.”

 Following a felony drug conviction, Christian spent a year in jail and has since started the Number 12 Foundation to address the epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse plaguing the country.

 “We started this organization to help alcoholics and addicts stay clean and sober by building bridges between institutions like jails, prisons, hospitals, halfway houses and the world of lasting recovery,” said Christian.

 Judge Mays said Mr. Christian will bring a powerful message to the new class of grads.

 “At one point, Jeff Christian was one of the most prominent executives in America.  He clearly demonstrates drug and alcohol abuse does not discriminate.  It does not care if you’re a college graduate, how much cash you may have, nor does it care about the color of your skin.  Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer,” said Judge Mays.

 The Drug Court Program is a sanction-based yearlong program that emphasizes treatment and accountability.  Should a participant fail a drug test, or is otherwise non-compliant, a penalty is imposed.  The Greater Cleveland Drug Court was created in l998 under the direction of the Honorable Larry A. Jones and taken over in 2009 by Judge Mays.  The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court became a partner in the program later that year.