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20 graduate from Salt Lake drug court

Posted at 11:58 PM, May 26, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-27 01:58:55-04

SALT LAKE CITY - A graduation ceremony was held for 20 men and women this week, but it wasn't for a high school or college.

The twenty men and women received diplomas during the celebration, held in a Salt Lake City courtroom. The celebration was for drug court; past offenders completed treatment and testing to prove their drug-free status.

One graduate landed in the criminal system two years ago. She now works with the system, mentoring others on the road to recovery. At graduation, she thanked her parents, counselors and the judge who sentenced her to treatment rather than prison.

"I never would have been where I am today if they hadn't used their tough love on me," she said. "To show all of the women if I can do it so can they, and there's light at the end of the tunnel. And that treatment really works if you work hard for it and you want it."