Recently it was announced that Covington County Drug Court Program graduated Gracy Black. Covington County Drug Court was able to graduate Gracy Black. It is a Drug Court Program, directed by the Covington County District Attorney’s Office and headed by the Probate judge Stacy Brooks, offers first-time drug offenders a chance for rehabilitation and continuous sobriety and the chance to keep an impeccable criminal record.
Black is the 356th student in the course, started taking drugs when she was just the age of 15. She recalled that she started using marijuana and then moved to more powerful drugs such as prescription drugs, and later methamphetamine. Black became pregnant at the age of 18, with her child. When she was 19, and at 6 months pregnant Black was detained for possession of a controlled substance and Chemical Endangerment of the Child.
Then, prompted by her fear that she might lose her child, Black decided to make a lifestyle change and enrolled in into the Drug Court Program. Black thought about the change in her attitude during the four years she was in the program and said “At the beginning, it felt to be a burden, and I was afraid that they were trying to make usto fail, but it was not the case. The program’s goal is to show people that there’s hope. It’s an excellent chance to make use of the resources provided by it.”
It wasn’t always an easy journey for Black who was repeatedly sanctioned throughout her time at Drug Court, including one penalty for a long-term rehabilitation program. After rehab, however, Black set goals for herself and met each of them. “I am determined and have a plan in place, while before I was impulsive and had no thinking about my future,”” Black said.
In fact, Black has set goals and has accomplishments to prove it. Along with the Drug Court graduation, Black recently celebrated the completion of her GED in the morning, and in the afternoon she completed her graduation of her Women in Welding Program at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. Black has been offered a position in the field of electrician’s apprenticeship.
It is the Drug Court Program, together with the Veterans Court Program and newly established Opiate Diversion Program Each program offers participants the chance to attain sobriety and life skills and education, find employment and establish accountability, with the ultimate goal of removal of any criminal charges pending. “These are all programs that we are ecstatic to offer to our citizens, and are that are designed to assist the first time offenders who are low-level offenders and allow them to be productive members of society without having the stigma of a conviction for felony in their records. Gracy Black, along with others like her, are major triumphs in the fight against addiction and drug abuse,” said District Attorney Walt Merrell.
Treatment Courts Coordinator Sabrina Cobb, and Substance Abuse Coordinator Laura Bartholomew, each of who been working closely with Black throughout her time in Drug Court, surprised Black at every one of the graduation ceremony. Cobb said, “We were so excited and very proud of Gracy that there was no way that we could not be there for her LBWCC graduation ceremony.. Gracy is an example of what this program is about and the reason we continue fighting. She was a little hesitant at first, with many doubts regarding her capabilities and strengths however, she has achieved so much in her time in our program. Her achievements have exceeded our expectations and we are ecstatic by her accomplishments.” Bartholomew added, “Gracy’s confidence and self-confidence in herself have increased tremendously. Once she realized her determination to rise above the challenges of life and never looked back. She’s a stunning young woman, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. ”
Black is on the road to a new beginning and that is in large part because of her dedication to her work. Two years after her last relapse Black wanted to inspire others who struggle with addiction. “While everybody is different it is important to follow the steps and work to complete them. You’ll experience moments of ups and downs but you must keep going ahead. Find a partner to be accountable with and never stop. This program pushes you to become the best version of you. I’ve made it and I’m now able be the mom my son deserves and one that he will admire. It has transformed me a strong respectable member of the community, and that is a person I never imagined I’d become.”
The article Drug Court program provides an opportunity for a second chance for those who have been in trouble was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
