Champaign Co. Drug Court celebrates sobriety with newest graduates

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — May is graduation season. But for graduates of the Champaign County Drug Court, it’s not about getting a diploma. It’s about getting a new chance at life.

The Champaign County drug program has been changing lives since the 90s.

“Drug Court gives you all the tools and all the opportunity to get your life better,” said Doug Emkes, one of eight participants who got a certificate.

Emkes joined because his alcohol abuse kept getting him in trouble with the law.

“A person that wants to get better, and a better life and family and everything, two things for me, was acceptance that you do have a substance abuse problem — which, alcohol was mine — and accountability.”

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Champaign Circuit Court Judge Ben Dyer is part of the team, guiding participants through the two-year program.

“We’re looking for a high risk, high need population,” he said. “The philosophy of the Drug Court is you take somebody who has significant substance abuse issues, and instead of punishing that person, we’re going to target them with substantial resources.”

Participants go through different classes and see counselors daily to get the help they need.

“We keep track of our recidivism numbers and how people do over time, and we routinely beat the Department of Corrections for recidivism,” Dyer said.

Emkes said he definitely won’t be getting in trouble again. He wants to stay clean for himself and those who supported him.

“The whole Drug Court team, the judge — they don’t want to see you fail. They want to see you succeed and be better,” he said. “Be better for your family. Be better for yourself.”

Emkes is continuing to stay away from alcohol and has a supportive team at home so he can continue his journey.

If you know someone suffering from addiction that needs help, click here.

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