I am going to be the first to say that when I heard about today’s  topic  about a year ago, I was a little leery.  I just could not imagine how this program could actually work and benefit everyone at the same time.   BUT, the one thing that gave me hope in it was the person that this group of people would be having to report to and look in the eye (on a regular basis).  This person was Judge John Graham and the “topic” was the Jackson County Drug Court.

I can remember going over to the Jackson County Courthouse in November of 2008 for the 1 Year Anniversary of the Jackson County Drug Court.  My dad and I walked over to the Court House not really knowing what we were actually going to.  But most of you know that I am good friends with the Graham Family so I knew that I needed to go and support my friend and this program which was very important  to him. (that is what friends do, right?)

Let’s just put it this way, I was not prepared for the emotions that I would experience while there in the Court Room.  Those of you that know me, know that I can be a pretty cold and tough person at times.  I think that has come with my job for the last 15 years and dealing with people that have let me down one too many times.  But on this November morning, I saw these individuals who had made some bad decisions and were now facing the consequences.   Yes, they were responsible for where they were but the one thing that separated them from the others was that they were willing to make a commitment to try to turn their lives around and start a new life with new beginnings. I soon realized that this was not your ordinary program but one that was going to be touch but the end results would be life-changing for these people.

So, today there will be a special ceremony honoring some of these individuals who have had their lives transformed in various ways.  The Jackson County Drug court has transformed the lives of these participants, reunited families, brought recovery, opened the future to these who had no future;  AND saved taxpayers money.  Drug Court benefits not only those in the program but benefits every citizen of our county. 

The First Graduation of the Jackson County Drug Court will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the First Baptist Church in Scottsboro with a Reception afterwards.  You are invited to attend this event and show your support to not only these graduates but also to Judge John Graham and others who have such a vital role in changing the lives of these individuals in Jackson County.

The Mission Statement for the Jackson County Drug Court is simple and should be words that give all of us encouragement and the “want” to support this program. 

“The Jackson County Drug Court has as its chief goal “fixing people, not filling prisons.”  We will conserve taxpayer money by providing an alternative to prison of treatment, education, rehabilitation and self-help for drug-related offenses.  We seek to heal and rehabilitate non-violent addicts, empowering them to live substance-free lives of purpose and quality. 

Public safety is paramount.  We will hold offenders accountable for their actions and we shall respect the victims of crime.  We will endeavor to protect the public and advance community safety and well-being.  We shall return sober, law-abiding, productive citizens to the community and shut the “revolving door” of repeat crimes.”

 I know that after going to the 1 Year Anniversary Celebration last November, that I am a sincere supporter of all that is involved.  Actually, I admired these participants.  Yes, they have committed a crime of some sort but the requirements that they have to meet are strict and rigid but ones that can be met if that individual wants to bad enough.  Commitment is the key!!

The Admission Criteria is covered here  on the Jackson County Drug Court website but basically the defendant must have the desire to participate fully in the Jackson County Drug Court program.  But more than anything, the defendant must possess the desire to begin his or her recovery from his or her drug(s) of choice.  They must also voluntarily agree to plead guilty to his or her criminal charges.  The criteria to be admitted into the program consist of (7) things.  You will find those on the website above.

After the individual has been admitted to the program, there are (12) requirements that they must uphold and these are what hold many back and not only a monthly basis but a weekly basis.  For these requirements, you may go here and read more about them.  The day that I went to the 1 Year Anniversary Celebration, we got to witness what happens on those weekly meetings of the Drug Court program.  These individuals have to go before Judge Graham and give him a overview of their week and if they have succeeded another week or if they have failed.  I witnessed one that had to admit he had not upheld his part on the requirements and Judge Graham had to sentence him to a weekend in the County Jail.  So, trust me when I say, that there is NO PLAYING around.  If you mess up, you pay the price.  That is when they decide if they want to put the mistakes and past behind them and start again.  They MUST have faith in themselves for them to succeed and conquer this program.

I am happy to say that tonight there are (7) individuals who will be graduating from the Jackson County Drug Court.  I am not going to say that it has been an easy journey for any of them.  I think that they will tell you that there have been times that they were ready to give up but they did not.  Thanks to faith in themselves, support from family and friends and support and encouragement from Judge Graham and the entire Drug Court Staff-they are now going to have the beginning of a whole new life.  These (7) individuals who had been charged with various crimes and that includes felonies are now able to look people in the eye (as well as themselves in the mirror) and say, I have a CLEAN RECORD!!!  That is where I believe that they will say that they are “Thankful” for being given another chance at a life without all the baggage that they once carried.

If you would like to hear some amazing words from some individuals, I would encourage you to take some time and attend this Graduation Ceremony tonight at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church.  By you being there, you are giving them encouragement without having to say one word to them.  Your presence will be enough for them to realize that people do care about them and what they do with their lives.  I so wish I could be there but I will be at MM’s basketball game.  I will definitely be there in spirit though.

I am grateful to for the Jackson County Drug Court which is providing an alternative to incarceration by providing treatment, education, and rehabilitation services for eligible offenders arrested for specific drug related offenses in the rural, single jurisdiction circuit that includes Jackson County, Alabama. (yes, I stole those words from the website because they were so perfectly stated)

Thanks to all that is involved in this much needed program and a big congratulations to those who will be graduating tonight and they have much to be proud of… For having faith in themselves.

 The Marketis all about recycling and you can show your support with this hanging somewhere in or around your house.  This the “recycling” symbol that is most known by everyone and I think would look great in a back entrance or in the garage where all the recycling containers are….You really could put it anywhere and you would have a conversation piece. Ha!

 If you like the “rugged look”, you will like these Christmas decorations made out of old wood that I found at The Market.  This is sitting on the floor and would look great at the entrance of a home.  It is one of those pieces that looks like it was made with what you had laying around. I love “goods” like this.

The Grapevine has all of their Tyler Christmas candles in.  You can get just about any size and scent.  These make great gifts but are also one of those things that everyone can pick up for themselves because if you have a good smelling candle, you are “bound” to be in a better and festive mood. (At least that is the way it is with me. Ha!)

 Another “must have” for the Holiday Season is music.  The Grapevine has you covered in that department too.  They have several different CD’s foryou to choose from.  This is also a great gift to take for a hostess gift.  You can get use out of them for years and years.  If you are having a tough time thinking about getting in the Holiday Spirit, maybe one of these CD’s would take care of those issues.

You know how I love “fun and festive” cups….(Remember the Auburn and Alabama cups that I shared with you a while back?)  Well, Talk of the Town has some Christmas ones that I am loving too.  These say, “Santa, stuff my stocking with ________”.  With the marker that comes with the package of cups, you can fill in the blank.  I can think of LOTS of “blank fillers” for me.  These would be great for kids too and then they could fill in their “blank” with what their “wishes” are from Santa.

You may not be sure exactly what these are that Talk of the Town has in their store.  These are lights that you can place outside, on the screen porch, etc.  They have a wick just like your summer torches have and you use the same type “oil” in these.  How different are these for the Holidays?  Light these up and you will for sure get Santa’s attention that you wish he would stop by your home.

 So you do not want to spend allot of money for a Holiday outfit…..  Well, you can put this awesome red wrap around a simple black dress and you will be set.  Wimberly House has the black dress if you need one of those too.  It is amazing what a simple “wrap” or “scarf” can do to brighten and dress up an outfit.  I will be showing you more ideas for Holiday attire that the Wimberly House has in the coming weeks.

I am predicting that the winter is going to be colder than normal and yes we are going to need some really warm coats.  The Wimberly House has coats for everyone.  I love this coat and it would look great with those casual clothes or with the more dressier ones.  The scarf makes it complete.  The cuffs give it that expensive look but this coat is far from expensive.

Catalog Returns Plus has manypieces of furniture for those larger flat screens  This could be used for other things than a TV too.   Before you go looking out of town for some furniture, you need to check at Catalog Returns Plus which is located in the Village on Broad Street.  They are getting in new “goods” on a regular basis.  You  just never know what you are going to “happen” upon when you go through their front doors.

Catalog Returns Plus also has lots of great ideas for Christmas.  You may not know what you are going to get someone that is on your Gift List like these socket sets (all sizes too)…..I bet you would quickly get an idea after looking around this store.  The males who love their tools and outside “goods” will definitely find this store interesting to them.  Like a kid in a candy shop for them. Ha!

Big C Drugs also have some great gift ideas.  These flashlights and pocket tools are great for those people that you are not sure about.  Who could not put either of these items to good use?  Big C Drugs have so many gifts under $10.00.  So, don’t forget about them when shopping this Holiday Season.

Big C Drugs has you covered in the Alabama and Auburn department.  These t-shirts are under $10.00 too.  Cannot beat that for a t-shirt either.  Next Friday is the big day so if you are feeling in the mood to sport a new “Team Shirt”, check these out at Big C Drugs.  I have not seen shirts like these anywhere.  Simple but states who you are. Ha!

That is it for today.  Make sure to register for the filters that Southern Heating is giving away this week.  I will share the winner’s name tomorrow along with my “Finds” around town. I have an array of “Finds” too.

Also, please do not forget the Porch Family.  Jason and Heather Porch’s (grandfather is Lon Porch) baby passed away Wednesday morning.  This was very unexpected so they are still trying to cope with the shock of what has happened.  Please keep this family in your prayers.

Until tomorrow-