Graduates who have successfully battled their addiction to drugs recently gathered to celebrate Ashtabula County Drug Court’s 10th anniversary.

Since the drug court was started Nov. 3, 2008, by former Judge Alfred Mackey, 161 people have successfully completed the program.

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor was the keynote speaker and congratulated the team on the exceptional work the drug court does in helping people who are addicted.

“Drug abuse is a national crisis,” Chief Justice O’Connor said. “Ohio is part of the solution. Your court succeeded, and the proof of that success is in the smiles I see around this room on the faces of graduates.”

Drug courts take a public health approach, working hand-in-hand with the medical community, using medication-assisted treatment to fight opioid addiction.

Ohio now has 170 drug courts, compared with 64 specialized docket courts in 2003, when the Ashtabula drug court started. Drug courts have a success rate of 70 percent.

“I know it is hard work getting through the drug court,” Chief Justice O’Connor said. “But let me say this, not only do you have the support of this court and this treatment team, you have the support of the entire community.”

Featured graduates have moved on to work for drug treatment centers, others have become entrepreneurs, and one graduate not only finished college and law school, but recently passed the Ohio bar exam.

The success of the court is rooted in its comprehensive treatment team, which includes a prosecutor, defense counsel, treatment providers, and a program coordinator.