Drug Court celebrates 40 graduates, second chance at life

COLUMBIA, MS. - A group of 40 men and women celebrated a second chance at life during the Drug Court graduation ceremony at Woodlawn United Pentecostal Church Friday.

The Drug Court program gives former drug users a chance to redeem themselves.

It is a specialized court designed to handle cases involving less serious drug using offenders through a supervision treatment program.

Circuit Court Judge Prentiss Harrell worked with the graduates and he said he is an advocate for second chances.

“Because we should, it is a simple answer, we should give second chances, most everybody I know, including myself gets second chances" said Judge Harrell.

The goal of the program is to get the drug offender sober and employed. One of this year's keynote speaker is Mississippi Senator Briggs Hopson.

"At the state level we support what the Drug Court is doing, we think it is a valuable service for the state" said Hopson.

He added, "We think importantly it helps the people that have had a problem to kind of regroup and get some training on how to move forward and be productive members in our society.”

Once the offender completes the 3 year program, the court expunges their offenses. Trishay Quinn said she is proud to finish the program and has been sober for three years.

“I am just so happy to be done with it, it is not hard, but it is a good program" said Quinn.

She said she is looking forward to her future and second chance at life with her family. “It was just best, it was just best for myself personally and I wanted to set a good example for my children" Quinn said.