116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Drug court graduates ready to start the ‘rest of their life’
Linn County Drug Treatment Court has now graduated 19 classes
CEDAR RAPIDS — Chad Kelley on Monday celebrated the “best 18 months” of his life, the longest he had stayed clean of drugs.
“I have more support than ever — a 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 worldwide.
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.
Once on the brink of serving prison time, offenders chosen to participate in the program had another option: The drug court allows them to get substance abuse treatment while under court supervision — instead of serving time in jail — by using incentives, sanctions and resources to help motivate them.
Only offenders who commit non-violent felonies or aggravated misdemeanors that stem from substance abuse are eligible for the program. A defense attorney and prosecutor who serve on a drug court team make referrals, and the entire team — which also includes a judge, probation officer, substance abuse treatment coordinators and counselors — evaluates offenders in deciding who to accept.
The minimum 18-month program requires participants to attend treatment, have no law violations, reconnect with the community through a job or volunteering and be in compliance with probation rules.
Fae Hoover, a former 6th Judicial District Court judge until she retired this year, had presided over the court since the beginning. She was invited to speak at it this year, telling graduates that the event marked “the beginning of the rest of their life.”
She characterized their accomplishment as “herculean.”
“Some people had described that we asked them to do is change one thing — everything,” Hoover said.
Community Treatment Coordinator Ashley Buol said the program usually has 30 people in it any given time, although offenders graduate on different schedules.
“They work so so hard and I know the team is wonderful that supports them, but they do all of the hard work,” Buol said. “And it's so inspirational to see them doing well, and they can share that with the newcomers who are coming in so they can see that success is possible.”
Sixth Judicial District Judge Valerie Clay, a former assistant Linn County attorney, now presides over the drug court.
Comments: (319) 265-6828; cleo.westin@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters