Addicts share stories, thanks at Washington County Day Reporting Center graduation

David Carr sat in a folding chair in the hot sun, guitar in hand next to an old bandmate, and sang Hank Williams Jr.'s "Old Habits."

He sounded like an old-time country singer and sang with meaning behind the lyrics.

Carr, 64, was one of 16 people to receive a certificate Friday afternoon during the Washington County Day Reporting Center's first-ever graduation ceremony.

Those who spoke thanked the staff and others who helped them on their journeys.

The program, started in late 2016, is an alternative to the Washington County Detention Center for eligible nonviolent offenders. Participants receive substance abuse and mental health counseling and take classes to help them develop employment skills, said Meaghan N. Willis, who took over as program director in May 2021.

Carr, after picking up his certificate, said he'd been addicted to "liquor, alcohol" and had a couple DUI convictions. Asked if anyone was hurt, he said no.

More from the graduation: Hagerstown woman reflects on her addiction recovery at Day Reporting Center graduation

Talking about graduating, Carr said, "It feels good. A little scary."

The program, he said, gave him "freedom and the chance to get out of jail."

He finished the center's program on the Fourth of July this year.

"It's like ... I had to learn how to redo my life. ... It's a continuing process," Carr said.

He's bought a house and continues the job he's had as a flagger for four years.

The Day Reporting Center has a lot of good instructors, said Carr. That was a message shared by graduation speakers during the ceremony outside of the center off Western Maryland Parkway along Hagerstown's western edge.

Carr was one of four graduates to address graduates' family and friends, center officials, local attorneys and others there to celebrate the graduates and the center's success. He chose singing over speaking.

Graduation day arrives for Washington County Day Reporting Center

One of the most frequent requests Willis said she's had is for a graduation ceremony. There hadn't seemed an obvious time for it with the way the program is structured. But the day finally arrived on Friday.

To be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony, clients had to have successfully completed the initial five phases, which include regular counseling; have at least three months of clean screenings for alcohol and drugs; and be working, in school, or in job training, Willis said.

Since the day reporting center opened seven years ago, 57 people have successfully completed the program, Willis said.

Seventy-five people were eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony, though not all attended. Willis said the program lost touch with some folks after they completed the program.

There are currently 12 participants in the initial five phases, the more intense part of the program when there are counseling sessions six days a week for eight weeks, Willis said. There are 18 people in the continuing care part of the program. That's when they have completed the initial five phases of regular counseling, but continue to get drug tested while on supervised probation.

Willis described the graduates as strong, resilient, resourceful, grateful and courageous.

Addicts share personal stories

Carla Kegarise, 36, of Hagerstown, said after the ceremony she's been clean for 15 months.

"I did a lot of growing here as a person and it helped me to really dig deep into myself," Kegarise said.

After years of being addicted to heroin and cocaine, Kegarise said the center helped her learn strategies to cope with her addiction.

She's currently taking care of her grandparents and starting classes to become a peer recovery specialist. She said she wants to become an addictions counselor.

Drew Green, 27, who grew up in Hagerstown and recently moved to Cumberland, Md., is in the continuing care stage of the program.

For her, the center has meant "a new life, a new chance."

"I'm a better person, a better mom," said Green, who has two young sons.

"I was definitely all in" when she started the program, with her sole son at the time on her mind.

Green said she's studying to become an addictions counselor, starting her second year at Hagerstown Community College.

"I got a second chance," she said.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Day Reporting Center grads share stories, aim to help other addicts