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Three Graduate From Lawrence County Drug Court

Last updated on Thursday, June 19, 2014

(BEDFORD) - Three Lawrence County men have taken steps to defeat their battle with alcohol by graduating from Drug Court.

Lawrence Superior Court II Judge William Sleva and his team oversees and administers Drug Court, a program which offers those who have committed crimes with drugs and or alcohol - a second chance. The program is an intensive attempt to rehabilitate and reform offenders who have problems with addiction.

Each man shared their story Thursday morning on how alcohol controlled their every move.

They didn't want their names shared with the public because this was their private battle But they didn't face the battle alone - all three have become very good friends and praised Alcoholic's Anonymous and their sponsors for their support.

The first began drinking at the age of 16 and beer was his soul mate for 30 years.

"I drank daily, changed jobs, moved from place to place I didn't care," He added. "I lost my driver's license but that didn't stop me. But in June of 2011 that all changed when I saw the face of the one I loved and my granddaughter looking at me through dirty Plexiglas."

He has learned to "slow down and enjoy life without a buzz."

The second man admitted alcohol was his master. After he's second operating a vehicle while intoxicated charge endangerment and facing a long prison sentence he entered Drug Court.

He was not pleased with being in the program.

"I decided to do what they wanted out of spite, so when it didn't work I could throw it in their faces," he added. "But to my surprise things did get better....I found a higher power and AA gave me a design for living."

The third man began drinking at 12.

"I found alcohol to be my friend, my coping mechanism, my crutch and my enemy," he added.

When he was arrested he was speeding down the wrong side of the highway drunk.

He had to learn to surrender.

"That is not something I do well," he added. "But life became easier to face. I reestablished faith with my family and myself. I owe the new found me to Drug Court.

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