McHenry County's drug court program graduates 10

WOODSTOCK – Dozens of guests filled a packed McHenry County courtroom Tuesday evening to celebrate a graduation.

Not one for seniors in high school or college, but a commencement for a group of individuals recovering from addiction looking for a second chance.

Jason Beaty, one of the county’s 10 drug court program graduates, said he knows firsthand the work it takes to successfully live a sober life, reflecting on his previous felony convictions and trips to prison. Despite some of the ups and downs on his road to recovery, the time it took him and the steps he had to take were well worth it in the end, he said.

“Until I manned up and was completely honest … I never could accomplish anything,” he said, as his mug shot appeared on the screen behind him.

Together, the graduating class marked 3,167 days of sobriety. This year’s class was one of the largest since the program was created in 2011.

Participation in the drug court program includes drug treatment, regular meetings with program officials, court appearances, drug screens and a full year of sobriety. Some also are required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Jason Sterwerf, director of McHenry County’s specialty courts, said the 10 graduates totaled 110 arrests before entering the drug court program. There were 1,005 total arrests among the 134 participants, including misdemeanors, felonies and DUIs.

“You made it through the tough times. You navigated through the drug court and made probably, what I think, is the most monumental change in your lives,” State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi said.

Each of the graduates received a certificate of completion and had a chance to reflect on what the program has meant to them and thank those who have helped them along the way.

Beaty said the most important thing to remember for those in the program is to remain honest with yourself and others.

“Just be as honest as you can. Don’t fear the program,” he said.

Beaty now spends as much of his time as he can giving back. He works as a McHenry County outreach coordinator for A Man in Recovery Foundation, and also hands out free naloxone kits to anyone who might need it to save someone’s life.

“(Drug court) gave me a chance that I never gave myself,” Beaty said, tearful.

One hundred thirty-four people have participated in McHenry County’s drug court, and about 86 percent of drug court graduates remain arrest free.

Nationally, 75 percent of individuals who complete drug court are not rearrested, according to government statistics. In McHenry County, the 22nd Circuit Adult Drug Court has recorded a 12 percent recidivism rate from those who have participated since the program’s inception.

“Drug court is so effective because it addresses criminal behavior in a completely different way,” McHenry Police Chief John Jones said.

Also graduating were Daniel Brennan, Paul Carriveau, Ryan Chencinski, Gregg Lockhart, Victor Musch, Christina Stankus, Kenneth Szamlewski, Anthony Weil and Robert Whitney. The county’s drug court program is presided over by Judge Charles Weech.