A ceremony took place Tuesday morning at the Bristol, Virginia Circuit Court to celebrate the latest graduate of the Veritas Adult Drug Treatment Court phase program.

This is a structured four-phase initiative, spanning 12 to 18 months, tailored for adult offenders dealing with drug or alcohol dependency issues.

Ricky Thomas, who graduated from the program on Tuesday, said he enrolled in the program to make a change in his life.

“I initially got out and unfortunately relapsed, which led me back to incarceration,” shared Thomas. “At that point, I decided enough was enough and haven’t looked back since. Enrolling in Recovery Court has provided me with tools and guidance I needed for change, far exceeding my expectations. My lawyer worked relentlessly to get me into this program, and I feel incredibly grateful for everything Recovery Court has offered me, as well as the crucial counseling from Highlands. I cherish the connections I’ve made, and I’m thankful to Judge Johnson, Rebecca, and Bill for their unwavering support.”

Thomas said he is now 28 months clean and is grateful for the people who helped him achieve that milestone.

Participants in the Veritas Adult Drug Treatment Court engage in court-supervised treatment and recovery programs, which include attending weekly court sessions and undergoing regular drug screenings.

For more information on the program, click here.