ESCANABA — Three people graduated yesterday from the Delta County Drug Court. Graduating were Josh Curry, Jennifer Nelson and Zach Hamilton. All three faced drug related charges and chose the drug court program over jail.

Nelson was hooked on opioids. As a nurse, she says she called in her own prescriptions. Yesterday, she put that behind her as a graduate of the Delta County Drug Court. She says she put her family through a lot and realizes that loved her more than she loved herself.

“Drug court has helped me to understand my addiction and helped to show me it’s possible to enjoy life sober,” Nelson said. “I’m still a drug addict. I always will be. But today, by the grace of God, hard work and determination, I’m a drug addict in recovery.”

Hamilton dropped out of high school. In the drug court program, he finished his degree and went to Bay College. He says the path he was on should have ended in death.

I’ve said this more than once but I’m so glad I got arrested on October 6, 2016. I didn’t know it at the time but it was the beginning of the rest of my life. I was slow but surely dying. But I thought that was my only option,” Hamilton said.

Curry’s grandfather wrote a testimony thanking the drug court for rescuing Curry.

Each were presented a certificate from Delta County District Court Judge Steve Parks at yesterday’s event.

The Keynote speaker at the Delta County Drug Court graduation yesterday was Marinette County Circuit Court Judge James Morrison. He said the three participants have turned their lives around and showed that the drug court program works.

“These three people who have come back to us have proven that there is a solution to this problem that nobody can run and say it’s bigger than me. These three people are now ambassadors of change that works,” Morrison said.

Morrison says drug court is not an easy program to succeed in. Participants have to complete various phases in order to graduate. A total of six have now completed the program.