Marion man says drug court has changed his life drastically

Reflecting on nearly fifteen consecutive months of uninterrupted sobriety almost brought Chad Hazelton to tears during his drug court graduation ceremony last Friday.

"It feels good to be free from the addictions, but I know it will always be a battle," Hazelton told the audience of family, friends, fellow program participants, and Marion County Common Pleas Court staff members who gathered in the gymnasium at Marion First Church of the Nazarene to honor and support him.

The 46-year-old Marion man was emotional at times as he shared what the Marion County Common Pleas Court's F.I.R.S.T. (Focusing on Individual Recovery, Success and Treatment) program has meant to him and how it has changed his life for the better.

"During the last year of drug court, my life has changed drastically," Hazelton said. "I've accomplished many things and the biggest has been being completely sober for almost fifteen months and counting. That is saying something since I first started drinking around the age of fifteen and I continued with alcohol abuse and turned to other drugs over the last 31 years.

"I hate to say this, but I'm kind of glad in a weird way that I did get in trouble to get me the help that I have needed for so many years that I didn't realize that I needed, and to admit that I did need help."

Hazelton explained the transformation that he has experienced since being in the drug court program to help him get on and stay on the road to sobriety.

"When I first started getting sober back in 2021, it was a challenge to be able to retrain my mind to do everyday functions without having to have a drink, smoking a joint, or even snorting a pill," he said. "But things got easier over time and I was determined to overcome my addictions. But I wouldn't have been able to do that without the help of going to my meetings and my treatment facility, going to meetings and having a support team of friends and family, and a sponsor to help keep me on the right track.

"With their help, I have learned my trigger points and how to deal with those situations without getting high or drunk. I will use my support team to help me continue to beat addiction."

Hazelton offered a bit of good counsel for those who remain in the F.I.R.S.T. program and are working their way through it.

"For the people that are new to the program or that are still in the program, make the most of it," Hazelton said. "The program's made to help you and it will. At first, I thought that Judge (Warren) Edwards and his team were hard headed because I didn't have an open mind. They kind of are, but that's because they see a side of you that you don't see and they know you can complete this program. They are compassionate and they do care. You just have to want the help."

Marion County Common Pleas Court Judge Warren T. Edwards noted in his remarks that Hazelton was only sanctioned on one occasion for a "minor infraction" of program rules and was diligent in meeting all of the requirements including passing all drug screenings, attending all probation and treatment appointments, attending all docket sessions, maintaining "overall efficiency in sobriety," and being fully compliant with probation rules.

Keynote speaker Jennifer Ryan, chief probation officer and deputy administrator for Marion County Common Pleas Court, told the audience that each one of them has value and that they have influence on others even if they don't realize it.

"While we can only control our actions, we have the ability to affect the lives of others," Ryan explained. "Use this ability for good. When you hit an obstacle, like you undoubtedly will - like today's graduate faced not so long ago - choose the way around that obstacle that keeps you on your path of sobriety. Because that course will not just keep you on your path of recovery, but will inspire others on their journey.

"Be proud of how far you have come. Be confident in where you will go. And never forget that you are the greatest gift. You have the ability to touch the lives of so many other people."

Established in 2013 in Marion County Common Pleas Court, F.I.R.S.T. is one of two specialized dockets operated by Marion County Common Pleas Court. Marion Municipal Court also runs a drug court among its specialized dockets.

The drug treatment court concept was conceived in 1989 in Miami, Florida. According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), there are approximately 135 active drug treatment courts in Ohio and more than 4,000 nationwide. NADCP statistics show that drug treatment courts reduce recidivism by 60%. Drug treatment courts serve around 150,000 people annually.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion man says drug court has changed his life drastically