Cletus L. Knight, 35, of Sterling, is the county’s first drug court success story.

“It’s been a long road,” said Knight, an Air Force veteran who at one point was homeless.

The word “commencement” came up more than once during the hourlong ceremony, and is particularly important because it connotes a beginning, master of ceremonies and Sterling Police Officer Josh Weber said.

Judge John L. Hauptman, who has presided over the drug court since its inception on Sept. 11, 2014, told those gathered Thursday that Knight – a husband and a father – transformed his life from being a “manipulator” to making the right choices.

Knight was accepted to the program about a week after it opened.

Drug courts are a type of restorative justice program used across the country, but it was not until Sept. 11, 2014, that the program launched under guidance from Whiteside County State’s Attorney Trish Joyce. Lee County has had its program since 2005, and Ogle County has had a drug program since 2009.

Eleven participants have been accepted into Whiteside’s program since its start, and there currently are 9 people active, Joyce said.

After a drug suspect is arrested, his attorney can suggest drug court as an option, pending approval by a drug court team. If the person makes it through the intensive program, the court sentence can be reduced, or the charges dropped altogether.

Participants in the program are randomly drug tested, and must appear in front of a judge regularly so progress can be monitored.

“He had his setbacks,” Judge Hauptman said, “but then, 4 months into the program, a light bulb went off.”

Drug court is an opportunity to “make someone whole again,” said retired Judge John Bell, who formerly presided over the state’s 14th Judicial Circuit, and came from Rock Island to be the keynote speaker.

Among those attending Thursday’s celebration were five judges, drug court coordinator Kevin Johnson, retired Sterling Police Chief Ron Potthoff, and representatives from a variety of legal, mental health and social services specialties.

In addition to Knight’s success in the program, he also has “flourished” in his faith, and now is an advanced welder, he said. He has been employed for 9 months.

Knight thanked everyone for their support throughout the journey, and said he was grateful to his family for “sticking it out” with him – something he said he knows was not easy.

Now that he’s graduated from drug court, he’s ready to move forward with his life. His goal is a seemingly simple one – but one that can be daunting for someone who’s battled addiction. He wants to live a normal life.

If the feelings of those who watched him as he made his way through drug court are any indication, Knight should have a good chance of finding that life.

Knight’s success in the program is a testament to the “human spirit,” Hauptman said. “You have made my life richer just by getting to know you.”