30 lives changed after graduating from Jackson County Drug Court Program

Over the holiday.

New at four... 30 people in jackson county have something extra to be thankful for this thanksgiving - their sobrierty and the accomplishment of graduating from drug court.

Waay 31's sophia borrelli attended today's celebration and spoke with some of the graduates about the program that helped them turn their lives around.

Allen mccrary, drug court graduate: "this program changed my life 100 percent.

I mean, i come from a worthless, piece of crap drug addict, to the person i am today."

Allen mccrary credits the jackson county drug court program - for changing his life.

Allen mccrary, drug court graduate: "i've never had a relationship with my family clean and sober, i've never had a relationship with clean and sober and that's just a blessing all on it's own."

Due to coronavirus, the ceremony for the 30 graduates of the program was held outside at jackson county park.

People could drive in and listen to the ceremony on the radio.

Nats of program honorable judge john graham says this year's graduating class is particularly special due to the obstacles they have had to overcome because of the pandemic.

Honorable john graham, jackson county circuit judge: "it's always a celebratory occasion, but today is even more so because we've had a rather challenging year in 2020 to say the least and people have had to adapt in drug court, drug court been done differently this year from the ways we've done it in the past and everybody has jumped in there and given it their best shot."

Nats of ceremony graduate - patricia wooten says she's thankful for the program that has given her the best gift -self respect.

Patricia wooten, drug court graduate: "i got trust from my parents, my family.

I've got respect back.

Thankful, just for everything.

The little things, seem to matter a lot now."

And allen says he's grateful for the program for giving him even more reasons not to fall back into his old ways.

Allen mccrary, drug court graduate: "thankful for my recovery, thankful my drug court peers, my family, the relationship i have with my family, most of all the relationship i have with god these days."

Sophia looklive: "the 30 graduates up on this stage this year are the most the program has had since its inception.

- in scottsboro - sophia borrelli waay 31 news.

The 30 graduates also had a combined 19,731 days of sobriety.

Congrats to those who graduated today.