FIFTEEN recovering drug addicts have been given a second chance at life after they recently graduated from a substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation programme.

The graduation ceremony, which was recently held at Cardiff Hall Hotel in Runaway Bay, St Ann, was held under the theme, ‘Recovery is not an event, but a journey’.

As symbolic as the event was for the graduates — who had travelled from the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, St Thomas and St James — so too it was for the stakeholders. it was the first ever combined graduation since the inception of the Drug Treatment Court in 2001.

The nine-month rehabilitation programme provides an alternative to incarceration for offenders who have been in contact with the law as a result of substance abuse.

Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, while commending the graduates, said that the aim is to have a Drug Treatment Court in every parish.

“We are in the process of setting up a drug treatment court in Manchester,” McCalla disclosed.

She further disclosed that a special Children’s Drug Treatment Programme has already been established at the Kingston and St Andrew Family Court to assist children who are dependent on drugs.

In addition, McCalla expressed gratitude to the many partners who have worked to make the programme a success. They include USAID/COMET II and the Organisation of American States, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of National Security.

McCalla urged the graduates to be strong and courageous.

“… Resist any temptation to resort to use of drugs again. Those who have supported you and are supporting you along the path to recovery, do not let these persons down. Remember that they are still working to assist you even after you have graduated,” she said.

“I encourage you to make the best use of this chance to turn your life around. I wish you well and encourage you to remain drug-free and to live a productive life so that your families, all the judges and health professionals and others who have participated in the programme can remain proud of you,” McCalla said.

Meanwhile, Mission Director for USAID/COMET II Denise Herbol commended Jamaica for being one of the first countries to accept this model for drug treatment.

— Racquel Porter