10 people earn recognition for completing Richland County Drug Court
Melissa Pittinger says she has been an addict "off and on for 20 years."
The Ashland woman even graduated from Richland County Drug Court about eight or nine years ago before relapsing.
She is hoping the adage about the second time around being better will apply to her story.
Pittinger was among 10 people who graduated Thursday from drug court during a reception at Life Celebration Reception Center.
In addition to graduating, Pittinger will celebrate one year of sobriety next week.
"I've always at least drank or smoked weed," she said before the ceremony.
Accompanied by her parents, Pittinger has been in drug court for two years.
"The first year was pretty rough. I got in trouble for failed drug screens," she said.
Pittinger said she injured her back and subsequently lost her job, leading her to go on a "two-week bender."
"Jason (Hoover, county probation officer), he wouldn't give up on me," she said.
Pittinger ended up spending 63 days at New Beginnings.
"That was the best thing that ever happened to me," she said. "I learned a lot about addiction and why I'm the way I am. It makes me feel a lot better about myself. I don't feel like a loser.
"I came out of there and hit the ground running."
Retired Judge James Henson started local drug court in 1997
Pittinger's success story is an example of why the county's drug court has been around since 1997. Retired Common Pleas Judge James Henson started the local drug court as one of the first five in Ohio.
Current Judges Brent Robinson and Phil Naumoff have continued the endeavor. Henson, looking trim, attended Thursday's graduation.
"This is something that a lot of people didn't want to put their hands on," Naumoff told the standing-room-only crowd. "Judge Henson cared enough and got this going."
Robinson added, "He (Henson) said it was the best part of being a judge."
Naumoff encouraged the graduates.
"I hope this is not the pinnacle of your life," the judge said. "This is just the start of it. Each of you has untapped potential. You have dreams."
Angela Lester was another of the graduates. She completed the program in a year.
"Since the time I was 16, I've had an issue with drugs," Lester said.
She ended up in drug court when a traffic stop revealed drugs in her vehicle.
Lester said she has had some tough times that challenged her sobriety.
"I broke my ankle and couldn't work at Christmastime," she said. "I had a couple of depression events when I almost fell back into (drugs), but I picked myself up from that."
Lester's plans include continuing group counseling and "just keep going forward."
Both Lester and Pittinger expressed an interest in counseling others who are struggling with addiction.
In the program, the graduates were listed by their first names and last initials. Lester and Pittinger agreed to talk to the News Journal.
Participants meet with judges twice a month
During the twice-monthly sessions, the judges get to know the participants.
When introducing Kathleen W., Naumoff joked, "I'd ask Kathleen to speak, but we don't have that much time."
Robinson said of Tyler H. that he had the best outfit of the day for his paisley ensemble.
Probation officers get to know those in drug court even better. Robinson and Naumoff surprised Lindsey Hobbs and Hoover, the drug court coordinator, with certificates.
"They didn't know we were doing this," Robinson said. "They have a lot more contact with you than we do. We see you twice a month. They might see you three times a week."
Naumoff added, "Your success is their success. There's an attachment. When they see you fail, it hurts them."
In his closing remarks, Naumoff told the graduates to continue succeeding.
"We gave you the tools," he said. "You take them and you apply them to your daily lives afterwards. There is a roomful of potential here."
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County Drug Court recognizes 10 graduates
