Rutherford County, TN – (September 20, 2022) Drug Court graduation certificates were presented to six residents on Friday, September 16 at the Rutherford County Judicial Center Jury Assembly Room.  Words like miracle and magic have been used to describe the arduous 18-month program which currently has a waitlist.    

Tears and heartfelt comments voiced by the participants detailed the effects of the life changing program.  Approximately 402 participants have graduated from Recovery Court since its founding in 2000 by Judge Don R. Ash.  Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Cameron Sexton stated, “What we have today is not a partisan issue.  The community has come together.”

Judge Jimmy Turner commented, “In the court system oftentimes there are terrible circumstances.  We see families ripped apart, people that go to prison and luckily today we are able to celebrate something that restores life.  It’s a restoration through the criminal justice system that helps people recover from addiction and really improve their lives in every aspect.”

Reflecting on the day, Recovery Courts Director LaChelle Ricks expressed, “I’m so excited to see how much these participants have grown and managed to make a difference in their own lives.  They did the work.  We are just here to encourage and praise them along the way.”

Mayor Joe Carr attended the graduation ceremony and affirmed, “Rutherford County is committed to providing innovative programs to help win the war of addiction.” 

The county is focused on awareness, education and recovery.  More information can be found at https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/Recovery-Court/Recovery-Court.