(Cleveland) – The 59th Graduation Ceremony of the Greater Cleveland Drug Court, under the direction of Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Lauren C. Moore, was held Thursday, October 25, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga County Jury Assembly Room located on the fourth floor of the Justice Center.
(Cleveland) – The 59th Graduation Ceremony of the Greater Cleveland Drug Court, under the direction of Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Lauren C. Moore, was held Thursday, October 25, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga County Jury Assembly Room located on the fourth floor of the Justice Center.
A total of 26 people graduated, which brings the total number of people who have successfully completed the program to 1,719 since it began 20 years ago.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Larry Holmes, Director of Sobriety in Motion,a 501(c)3 sober living facility available to men striving to gain and sustain a lifestyle free of drugs and alcohol and become positive contributions for self, family and the community.
Holmes, now 63, speaks to recovering addicts at seven rehabilitation centers each week. For 23 years he was addicted to alcohol, cocaine and crack.
“The paranoia and insecurity from my addiction was really bad. One night I had a nightmare during which I woke up in a hospital handcuffed to the bed. Then several detectives came in to talk to me because I supposedly killed my own son” he said. At that point Larry checked into rehab for 60 days of treatment and has been sober for the past 17 years. His message to those in recovery was simple.
“I tell them how it was, what it used to be like and what it is today.”
Participants in the Greater Cleveland Drug Court generally spend 12 to 20 months in the program. Longer cases may occur due to the fact that opiate addicts generally need more treatment time. This year, four of the graduates entered the program with felonies, while the others were charged with lesser offenses.
Specialized dockets like the Greater Cleveland Drug Court are dedicated to handling offenses related to substance abuse, and use a combination of techniques for holding the offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior.
Ohio has 244 specialized docket courts, including 170 drug courts. The success of specialized dockets is demonstrated by reduced recidivism, improved treatment, and cost savings.