LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Three people graduated from Lubbock\u2019s drug court program this week, marking the end of 18 months of drug tests, counseling and group meetings.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t look down upon people,\u201d Eichman said. \u201cWe try to make them better, help them become the better person that is really deep inside of them. It\u2019s always meant something to me to treat people that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chad Joplin, who goes by \u201cChoppie,\u201d is celebrating 749 days of sobriety. Not only has he found his footing, he\u2019s also getting an education at Texas Tech.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m overwhelmed with joy and everything that this program has brought to me and given me the opportunity to have another chance at life,\u201d Joplin said. \u201cTo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brooke Perry said drug court was the program that worked for her after previous attempts at rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
She is now celebrating 708 days of sobriety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been a really long journey of jail and prisons and trying to do rehab,\u201d Perry said. \u201cI got into the drug court program by the grace of God and did it. And it\u2019s the only thing that\u2019s worked. So it\u2019s just a huge day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodney \u201cShane\u201d Merrill has been sober for 1081 days. He said the program helped him rebuild what he lost during his addiction.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gave me my life back,\u201d Merrill said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Judge Eichman says Drug Court is his favorite part of the job.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are times I have to give them tough love,\u201d Eichman said. \u201cBut 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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