Video: Twenty Graduate Third Judicial District Adult Drug Court

[syndicaster id=’6224969′]

OXFORD, MISS. (WCBI) –  For Cara Page, giving her testimony in this Lafayette County courtroom is
nothing short of a miracle.

“I was a 17 year meth addict,” the 41 year old Union County woman said. She was arrested in 2012 and accepted into
drug court the following year.

It is a three year program for adults charged with non violent felonies.
Drug Court Judge Andrew Howorth says it is for those who truly want to
change and who are willing to do what it takes.

Participants agree to a curfew, random drug tests and other rules. When
they complete drug court, their record is clean.

“Our intention is to produce someone who goes from being a lawbreaker,
unemployed, to somebody whose working , paying taxes, supporting their
family, a lot of these people have lost custody of their children when they
get into drug court,” Judge Howorth said.

Graduates say it is tough, but they are grateful for drug court.

“There’s a lot of people in drug court who fake it until they make it, but
there is a lot of people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired and
this program saves their life,” said Miranda Cox.

“Drug Court to me is a mixture of accountability, treatment and just the
fear of jail, if you can’t get through with other things the fear of jail
will make you get through it,” said Kim Prewitt.

“I have a great job, we now have our own home, I pay my bills every week, I
have both of my girls living at home with me, we are happy as can be,” Page said.

As they leave the courthouse, graduates of drug court not only have a new
lease on life, they also have the tools necessary to help others battling
addictions. About 40 people go through the Adult Drug Court each year. Graduation
ceremonies are held every six months.