Five men will graduate Friday from the Van Buren County Drug and Family Treatment Court. Judge Kathleen Brickley will preside and share some information about the transformation that’s occurred in each grad’s life. All five of them are recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, and in some cases, they’ve been able to avoid jail or prison by taking part in the rigorous treatment program the specialty court provides. The Van Buren County Specialty Courts Administrator tells us the programs offer community supervision and treatment to addicts who find themselves in the legal system because of their substance problem. The goal is to reduce the rate of reoffending, cut costs for taxpayers, and preserve families. The graduates will celebrate their completion of the programs at 9 a.m. at the courthouse in Paw Paw.
