DRUG COURT GRADUATES CELEBRATE FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION

Washington County Prosecutor John Threet told the audience it was
already the best graduation he had ever attended following a rockin '
blues number by The Cate Brothers at the seventh annual Washington /
Madison County Drug Treatment Court graduation.

That was before 115 drug court graduates walked the stage of Baum
Walker Hall in the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville to receive their
certificates of completion and Bobby Coins. The coins are named for
State Sen. Bill Pritchard's brother-in-law, who committed suicide in
1999 after a struggle with methamphetamine.

To many at the drug court graduation Friday night, however, the coins
and certificates represented a victory over drug addiction.

The drug court program, run by Circuit Judge Mary Ann Gunn, demands at
least nine months of intensive court-monitored treatment that provides
sentencing alternatives to those with drug addictions.

" Judge Gunn and her staff have helped you redefine your purpose, "
keynote speaker Fran Flener told the graduates.

Flener, the Arkansas drug director, thanked Gunn for allowing her to
be part of a ceremony symbolizing the graduates' new beginning.

" You've got to develop a passion, " Flener told the graduates, as she
reflected on drug court graduates who earlier played music on the
stage, demonstrating their passion for music.

" A big reason you're here tonight is because of the passion that
Judge Gunn and her staff have for helping you help yourself, " she
said.

Ellen Gilcrest, author and English professor at the University of
Arkansas, also talked to the graduates before she announced an award
of appreciation for Carla Tyson, who has worked to support drug court
in financial and other ways.

" I am one of you, " Gilcrest told the drug court graduates. " I used
to be an alcoholic a long time ago. I quit, and since then, I've
written 23 books and had 15 grandchildren. "

In accepting the award, Tyson said, " I love being a U. S. citizen.
This is the land of second chances. "

Julia Hissom. one of the graduates, said she would have been dead or
in jail without drug court.

" This is a real blessing to be chosen for this program, " she said.