Graduates Overcome Drug Problems

Over 30 men and women on our Gulf Coast are celebrating sobriety today after graduating from the Second Circuit Drug Court.
A packed auditorium full of friends and family applauded, cried and stood for their loved ones as they walked across the stage and received their diploma.
Drug court works as three to five year alternative to jail time. Drug court officials monitor and work with individuals to help them put a stop to their destructive drug addiction.
Tamara Broussard’s father fought back tears as he watched his daughter give her testimony of overcoming a controlled substance problem. Broussard says now that she’s finished drug court her record is expunged and she can get her life back on track. “I can go to school and be in the medical field like I wanted to do. Before if I had that on my record, I couldn’t do those things. It’s just an amazing blessing that was brought to me. It’s awesome.”
Second Judicial District Drug Court Coordinator Stan Arrington said, “It’s one of the first jobs that I’ve had where I actually feel like I’m contributing something and giving back because a lot of times in criminal justice, it’s a revolving door. So, I do feel good about this program.”
Arrington tells News 25 a judge can give a defendant drug court over jail time if he or she was arrested on non-violent charges.