Rochester Drug Treatment Court holds graduation ceremony

On Friday, Oct. 28, cheers erupted in courtroom number seven in the Hall of Justice. At the 24th Rochester Drug Treatment Court graduation ceremony, Rochester City Court Judge John R. Schwartz announced that after 10 years and 10 months, over 1,000 individuals had graduated this program.

According to Judge Schwartz, over 80 babies have been born drug free (not including the number of children who now have fathers free of chemical dependency). Also, millions of dollars of welfare and prison costs have been saved.

Most of the graduates' journeys began over two years ago. To get to graduation, the individual must be in drug court for a year, be clean for a year, complete a chemical dependency program, have a high school degree, a GED or higher education, and be employed full time or be in college full time.

At graduation, Judge Schwartz looked at the 40 graduates and complemented them for being clean, honest, beautiful, full of hope, trust and respect.

The keynote speaker was Peter C. Pecor, regional administrator of the New York State Dept. of Labor. Pecor reminded the graduates that in the work-force, each must be a team player. He also spoke about how it is important to follow rules, be reliable, treat others with respect and have dignity.

Rochester Drug Treatment Court Supervising Judge Roy Wheatley King introduced Michele Hecht, a recent graduate of the drug court program.

Hecht gave an honest and heartfelt speech about her own road to recovery.

Drug Court saved my life but I had to do the work, she noted.

The true highlight of the ceremony was the graduation. As each name was called, the graduate had the opportunity to say a few words to the crowd and to thank supporters.

Graduates proudly declared how the program influenced their life.

You all saved my life; Thank you for loving me and having faith in me when I didn't love or have faith in myself; [Drug Court] helped me believe in myself; Judge King uses his head and his heart when dealing with us; and I have my family back, my children back and myself. I have a life - these were some of the remarks from the graduating class.

After the ceremony, there was a small reception sponsored by the Clean Slate Drug Treatment Court Alumni Group.

The day belonged to the graduates. However, each graduate has one more screening and one final appearance before Judge King. At this appearance, Judge King will present each graduate with a certificate and the book Oh, the Places You'll Go, by Dr. Seuss.

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