Drug court graduates ready to start 'the rest of their lives'

Linn County Drug Treatment Court has now graduated 19 classes

Graduates laugh Monday during a Drug Treatment Court graduation ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids. The special court recognized the progress its graduates have made in the fight against drug addiction. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS – Chad Kelley celebrated the “best 18 months” of his life Monday, the longest period he has remained drug-free.

“I have more support than ever — great job, my life is really good right now,” said Kelley, a welder at Divine Engineering, a Cedar Rapids manufacturer of conveyor systems for companies around the world.

Kelley joined eight other graduates Monday from the Linn County Drug Treatment Court at the Veterans Memorial Building for the 19th graduation ceremony since the special court program began in 2007. About 60 people attended the ceremony.

Graduate Chad Kelley receives a certificate Monday from Fae Hoover, a judge who presided over the drug court from its inception in 2007 until her retirement earlier this year. The graduation ceremony was held at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

Once about to serve a prison sentence, offenders selected to participate in the program had another option: Drug court allows them to undergo drug treatment under court supervision – instead of serving a prison sentence. prison – using incentives, sanctions and resources to help motivate them.

Only offenders who commit nonviolent crimes or aggravated misdemeanors resulting from substance abuse are eligible for the program. A defense attorney and prosecutor who are part of a drug court team make referrals, and the entire team – which also includes a judge, probation officer, treatment coordinators and counselors Substance Abuse – assesses offenders to decide who to accept.

The minimum 18-month program requires participants to complete treatment, commit no violations of the law, reconnect with the community through employment or volunteering, and comply with probation rules.

Fae Hoover, a former 6th Judicial District Court judge until her retirement this year, presided over the court from the beginning. She was invited to speak there this year, telling graduates that the event marked “the beginning of the rest of their lives.”

She called their achievement “herculean.”

“Some people explained that we asked them to change one thing, everything,” Hoover said.

Supporters hold signs for graduate Corrie Schiller at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids on Monday. The Linn County Drug Treatment Court held a ceremony to recognize graduates of the program, created to inspire the fight against drug addiction. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

Probation Officer Ashley Buol said the program typically has 30 people at any given time, although offenders graduate on different schedules.

“They work really hard and I know the team is great and supportive, but they do all the hard work,” Buol said. “And it’s so inspiring to see them succeed, and they can share that with newcomers so they can see that success is possible.”

Judge Valerie Clay, a former Linn County deputy district attorney, now presides over the drug court.

A cake is being cut Monday to celebrate students graduating from the Linn County Drug Treatment Court program. The ceremony marked the program’s 19th graduation since its inception. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

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