LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Three people graduated from Lubbock’s drug court program this week, marking the end of 18 months of drug tests, counseling and group meetings.
Drug court is offered to people charged with drug possession who are classified as non-violent offenders. Judge William Eichman II, who oversees the court, said the program is designed to lead reform through compassion.
“We don’t look down upon people,” Eichman said. “We try to make them better, help them become the better person that is really deep inside of them. It’s always meant something to me to treat people that way.”
Chad Joplin, who goes by “Choppie,” is celebrating 749 days of sobriety. Not only has he found his footing, he’s also getting an education at Texas Tech.
“I’m overwhelmed with joy and everything that this program has brought to me and given me the opportunity to have another chance at life,” Joplin said. “To be able to go to school at Texas Tech University, and for me to finally get out of the way, and for me to be able to just become the person that I was supposed to be.”
Brooke Perry said drug court was the program that worked for her after previous attempts at rehabilitation.
She is now celebrating 708 days of sobriety.
“This has been a really long journey of jail and prisons and trying to do rehab,” Perry said. “I got into the drug court program by the grace of God and did it. And it’s the only thing that’s worked. So it’s just a huge day.”
Rodney “Shane” Merrill has been sober for 1081 days. He said the program helped him rebuild what he lost during his addiction.
“It gave me my life back,” Merrill said. “I was looking at the rest of my life in prison. It brought my family back. It got my job back. My boss gave me a second chance.”
Judge Eichman says Drug Court is his favorite part of the job.
“There are times I have to give them tough love,” Eichman said. “But for these people, addicts, I think they just need compassion. They need support. They need to feel loved. And I do. I love these people.”
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