Family, friends, co-workers hail 12 graduates of Drug Court

But the success rates are encouraging — nearly 90 percent make it through the program successfully.

Crista Story waited nearly two years to see her son Skyler Jensen graduate.

"Thank you for not giving up on Skyler," Story told Taylor. "I know he had a hard time and had been in drug court a long time. But it's been the best thing."

Other parents and friends told the graduates how proud they were, how much they love them and how they'll always be there to support them.

"This is a beautiful son who has a light about him that we haven't seen for a lot of years," said one emotional mother. "It's so incredible to watch him. We're so grateful for this program."

Part of the program's success is the zero-tolerance policy. If a client slips and tests positive for drug use, shows up late for a meeting or doesn't show up at all, they're sent to jail to think about their choices.

But there are also a lot of requirements clients must do in addition to the list of things they cannot.

"To graduate you have to have a GED, a full-time job, have to make payments, have to be coming to treatment on time," Taylor said. "People take those things for granted, but when you become addicted, those are the kinds of things that get shoved aside. Those are the kinds of things that will keep you safe — that's why we emphasize it. I cannot tell you how much I respect those of you who have taken this addiction, looked it in the face and said, 'I can beat it.'"

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