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Troup County Accountability Court held its spring graduation ceremony on Wednesday at the William J. Griggs Recreation Center.

The twice-yearly ceremony celebrates the graduates’ victory over substance abuse and mental health problems.

Accountability Courts in Troup County are similar to other alternative sentencing programs around the country. Court Services offers the programs as interventions for people with substance abuse and/or mental health problems as an alternative to incarceration. 

The programs often turn around lives by giving people who have gotten into trouble through addiction or mental health issues the help they need, rather than jail time. It’s not easy. The participants meet regularly with the local judges who run the programs to be held accountable for their actions. 

In turn, Accountability Courts help reduce crime and jail recidivism, reducing costs to the county and state, along with helping people fight drug and alcohol addictions.

Troup County has several Accountability Court programs, including Felony Adult Drug Court, DUI/Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Parental Accountability Court and Family Treatment Court.

On Wednesday, a relatively small number of graduates participated in the ceremony, but they were joined by many family members and other loved ones, along with current Accountability Court participants cheering them on.

Judge Wesley Leonard, who oversees DUI Court, presented graduation certificates to Bryson Hammock and William McFarlane.

“What makes these two gentlemen special is that in addition to being involved in their recovery, in addition to dealing with their legal issues, in addition to coping with the requirements of DUI Court, they also had a lot of familial change during the time they were there,” Judge Leonard said. “Babies were born. Custody was transferred. They grew as men, they grew as fathers, and they grew as citizens, and we’re awfully proud of them.”

Judge Janelle Johnson, who oversees Felony Drug Court, presented a graduation certificate to James Henson.

“The team knew James was a star when they first met him. You could tell he had reflected on his life, set a goal to get to a better place in his life and had the drive to get there. James has worked very hard to overcome life disappointments and losses, and to realize he has a lot to give to himself, his family and others. His commitment to his recovery and community ties helped James see his true potential,” Judge Johnson said.

Kevin Freeman, Laurie Searles, Ashley Buchanan, Tanya Jones and Johnathan Folds also completed the program, but they were unable to attend the ceremony,  Johnson said.

Judge Michael Key, who oversees Family Treatment Court, presented a graduation certificate to its single graduate, Lindsey Spradin.

“When Lindsay entered the program, she was faced with many obstacles and barriers. They felt hard to overcome, but she always said, ‘I would do anything for my girls,’” Judge Key said.

“She hit a few bumps along the way, but eventually realized that to maintain her sobriety, she must change the people, places and things in her life. She [now] has four beautiful girls, a positive support system and a better relationship with her family. We believe in you. We’re so glad you finally believe in yourself. Great things are in store for you and for your family,” Key said.

And finally, Judge Marquette Baker presented graduation certificates to her Mental Health Court graduates, Nakia, Ashley and Quintavius.

“Nakia came into this program nothing but the gentleman that he is. He has always been just as humble as he can be, just as respectful as he can be. He has been such a hard worker and never let anything get him down,” Judge Baker said. “Nakia has been self-motivated and determined since he started mental health court. He was regular for all of his scheduled appointments, set his goals, and he’s been motivated to achieve those goals. He has been a great role model to all the other clients in mental health court. He was always a star of mental health court, and was a particularly good mentor when it got to the mentoring group.”

“Ashley has been about as honest as anybody I think I’ve ever met in this program. She has an overwhelming way of being able to be honest about what’s going on,” Baker said. “Through the program, she’s addressed her mental health concerns and diagnosis as well as substance abuse issues. She has made excellent progress in gaining a better understanding of herself, of her needs, her mental health, her emotional health and her physical health. She’s grown to understand and utilize self-advocacy and honesty to create a better lifestyle for herself and her daughter.”

“Quintavius has completed the Mental Health program successfully, and not only met his goals, but he exceeded them. When Quintavius began the program, he was not working. He was struggling and he was having difficulty meeting his obligations and responsibilities, but he was able to embrace his treatment, his goals and his objectives. Throughout the program, not only did he gain employment, but he became a supervisor,” Baker said.