Noah Johnson Daily Press 94th District Court Judge Steven C. Parks speaks during the Delta County Drug/Sobriety Court graduation ceremony.

ESCANABA — The Delta County Circuit Courtroom was packed on Monday night, but not for any traditional court proceedings.

Instead, six individuals were celebrated as they graduated from the Delta County Drug/Sobriety Court.

“Let’s face it, the courtrooms are not a place where there’s a lot of happiness a lot of the time, and so this is one of those rare occasions when we can all be together and celebrate a very big accomplishment,” said 94th District Court Judge Steven C. Parks.

He added it was his goal to have 50 graduates before he retired in 2026, and that goal was just about met Monday night.

“Tonight, we’re going to hit 48,” he said.

Parks shared the program currently has a 17 percent recidivism rate.

“So, that means that 83 percent of these high-risk, high-need people have not been arrested for drug or alcohol offenses, which is something we’re very, very proud of. And (we have) better statistics in Delta County than a lot of places throughout the state,” Parks said.

The evening began with Parks’ opening remarks before Drug Court Case Manager Jeana LaCarte introduced the graduates.

LaCarte introduced each graduate by providing details of their journeys that led to their graduation.

Each individual came to the drug court for various offenses, including operating while intoxicated, attempted resisting or obstructing an officer, and possession of a controlled substance.

One graduate, Katie O’Connell, came to drug court on a possession of methamphetamines charge. After a tough road, O’Connell is now a drug court graduate, and her kids live with her full-time.

LaCarte explained during her sentencing in circuit court, Judge John Economopoulos told her she was at a tipping point, as she was in her mid-30s at the time and a mother of multiple children.

“He ended by telling her that if one person can do this, she can do this. Today, Katie stands before us with 668 days of continued sobriety,” LaCarte said.

O’Connell told LaCarte she would never touch alcohol or methamphetamines again, as she put blood, sweat and tears into getting everything back that she needed or wanted.

Lige Johnson had previously been to prison in 2018 for delivery/manufacture of methamphetamines and was out on parole.

He came to drug court after being arrested for operating while intoxicated – third offense. He pled guilty to the charge, even after being offered a less serious offense of operating while intoxicated – second offense.

“Lige felt that the Delta County Drug/Sobriety Court program would benefit him.

So, he decided to plead as charged even given the risk that he may receive a large lump sum of upfront jail time,” LaCarte said.

During sentencing, Economopoulos told Johnson he did not like waste and that Johnson was wasting so much.

“I do not like waste, and you are wasting so much. You are wasting your education, your health, and support,” LaCarte recounted.

Johnson told LaCarte that this is the first time since he was 12 years old that he’s been clean this long.

“That makes it over 52 years since he has had any sort of clean time. While in this program, he adopted his stepson, worked on his relationship with his older children, purchased a vehicle, obtained a sponsor, a job, and an interlock device,” LaCarte said.

After being introduced, each graduate took a moment to share a few words.

The six graduates provided testimonials of their journey. Each was very emotional as they gave visceral and tear-jerking testimonies about not only their addiction but also their personal lives.

They shared stories of abuse, neglect, loneliness, anxiety, depression, stress, loss, and other factors that pushed them towards alcohol/substance abuse.

“While being a participant, I set goals. I successfully started my GED, obtained a place to live with my children while maintaining a part-time job. None of these would have been possible without the guidance of sobriety court,” O’Connell said.

Johnson said for most of his life, he was lost in an addictive cycle that he couldn’t break until he joined the drug/sobriety court.

“This program was different; It didn’t just demand compliance. It demanded real change, real, deep, and lasting change, and that’s what it gave me. Through accountability structures and support, I started to see myself differently. I began to see that my life had value (and I) wasn’t just some lost cause. And for the first time in decades, I believe I can do better,” Johnson said.

After each person finished their testimonials, the entire courtroom arose and erupted in applause and cheering.

Before handing out plaques in honor of their graduations, guest speaker Alicia Bertrand spoke to the graduates and attendees.

She is a member of the Hannahville community, serving on the tribal council and the Adult Child Welfare Board.

In her three years as a tribal council member, she has advocated for recovery and opened a certified recovery residence.

Bertrand shared her own struggles with addiction, saying her childhood consisted of alcoholism and addiction.

“Both of my parents were very much living a chaotic life, and at a very, very young age, me and my four siblings were removed by the court and separated,” Bertrand explained.

She struggled with addiction, whether it was pills or alcohol, throughout her life but is now an active and sober member in her community.

“Without sobriety, I wouldn’t have anything that I have today,” she said.

She concluded by telling the graduates how proud she was of them and reminded family and friends to continue to support them in their journey.

“I know that we said it today, but continue to say it. Even if it’s two days from now or a month from now, keep saying how much you love them and how proud of you how proud of them you are.

We need to hear that. We still need to hear it. Eight and a half years later, I still love hearing it,” Bertrand said.

Parks said when individuals come to the program, they may look at themselves as a broken person with low self-esteem, maybe even feeling that they don’t belong. In some cases, they may wonder why they should even be around.

After the program, Parks says the graduates see something completely different.

“We see potential for them to feel that they’re valuable members of our community. That they’re valuable, they’re people. And that they reserve a place in the community,” Parks said.

He said the graduates realize their potential and continue to grow in their recovery.

“They are repairing some of the things that have been caused. They have forgiven themselves for what they’ve done, and they’re looking forward to the future,” Parks said.

He added that graduation is a bittersweet moment for the drug court team because the team got to know each of them as people.

“They’re not defendants or criminals; they’re just people that have had very serious problems,” he said.

He reiterated the graduates chose the challenging route by enrolling in drug court, as they could have chosen to sit in jail and avoid the rigorousness of the drug/sobriety court program.

“We have people that don’t even want to go on the drug court because they feel that it’s too hard. They’d rather sit in jail. We get people who say, “Just kick me out so I can go back to jail; it’s a lot easier.” But these are the few and the proud. They push through that and deserve our respect,” Parks said.