34th Champaign County Drug Court Class Graduates

URBANA, Ill. (WCCU) — Yvonee Michelle Bright of Champaign openly shared her story of addiction at the 34th drug court graduation.

She explained how her addiction separated her from family. Her drugs of choice were crack cocaine and heroin, and every time she was behind bars she'd vow to get clean, but struggled to get results.

"When I got out I would come home clean and I would do everything in my power to stay clean, but the problem was that I didn't know how to live clean," Bright said.

Once she was recruited into the Champaign county drug court program everything changed.

She's now one of nine program graduates. The group spent the last 14 months together in substance abuse treatment.

"We all have a bond with each other where we can all and relay on each other and openly and freely talk to one another," Bright explained.

Judge Jeffrey Ford says the program works because it's a collaboration between law enforcement and county services to get addicts on a path to success.

"Basically, its building trust. A lot of these people don't trust anybody the legal system has never done anything for them accept make them do things they don't want to do or lock them up," Ford said.

He explained the latest numbers show it costs more to house a prisoner than it is to invest in someone to complete the program.

The state budget impasse is preventing program coordinators from expanding services. Now, some in recovery are concerned they won't finish if a budget isn't passed soon.

"I tell them as long as I am here we're going to have a drug court," he said.

For now, graduates like Bright are planning a future free from the chains of addiction.

"If you are struggling from alcohol or addiction reach out and get help you can change," Bright said.