Wisdom from 9 Drug Court Graduates in Twin Falls Wisconsin

October 16, 2014 12:30 pm • ALISON GENE SMITH alismith@magicvalley.com

Wednesday night I attended the 5th Judicial District's Drug Court graduation ceremony. I'm working on a story about drug court and wrote down a few quotes from the graduates as they gave their speeches. Here are some of the best:

Jake Russell – A previous drug court graduate, now 29 months sober. “Life didn't get easier after drug court.”

Colby Christiansen – “This is more intense than graduating high school.”

Charles Frame – “Just keep working it.”

Francisco Garcia – To nieces: “I'm doing this so you learn on me, not on you. I don't want you to get the same mistakes that I made.”

Kelly Heck – About infant family member: “That little girl right there will never see me high.” Heck followed up by saying graduates need to rely on their support systems: “Relapse is real and it's out there.”

Nicholas Jessen – “I went into drug court kicking and scratching hating every bit of it.” Jessen said he graduated due to those who believed in him more than he believed in himself. He added some advice to those who make mistakes in drug court: “You’ve got to own up to it. You will make it through.”

Lincoln Petersen - "When I first started the program I thought it was a joke." Petersen said he's been in front of a lot of judges in his life: "Never once did I see a judge clap or hand out candy bars." Petersen said he tried to think of ways to get kicked out and felt like giving up. When he started trying and phased up in the program, his mind changed.

ShaMarie Schauer – Schauer said she was arrested after falling asleep in a Walgreens parking lot. “I am grateful I wasn't on the road when I fell asleep,” she said. While under the influence: “My mom could tell me she loved me and I could think she was up to no good.” On getting out of prison: “When I got out of prison I thought I was ready for society,” she said. “I was not prepared for triggers.”

Jeremiah Shaddy – “I have the best family anybody could ask for.” Now, that he’s sober, Shaddy said, he’s capable of giving them love in return.

Look for my story on drug court in Sunday's Times-News and on Magicvalley.com.