The following is a press release from Judge Kevin P. Braig:
Judge Kevin P. Braig and the Logan County Court of Common Pleas Adult Recovery Court (ARC) Team are pleased to announce the graduation of Brenda Shields, Brandon Miller, Davante Smith, Adam Emrick, Patricia Haas, Nate Clem, and Jackie Bray.
Family and friends joined with the graduates and the ARC Team on February 23 for a celebration at the Bellefontaine Presbyterian Church. The graduates reflected on their experiences in the ARC and their hopes for the future. Judge Braig also offered a few words about each graduate.
“Brenda Shields is one of the sweetest people who has ever come through the ARC,” Judge Braig said.
“Brandon Miller put the ‘adult’ in ‘Adult Recovery Court,"” Judge Braig said. “You can graduate simply by doing the recovery work. But we hope to see people grow into adults too. Brandon did so and I expect he will continue to grow.”
“Davante Smith has come a long way. He has grown into a polite and respectful young man. I cold not be more proud of him,” Judge Braig said.
“Adam Emrick is a pioneer,” Judge Braig said. “He is our first graduate to complete the HVAC technician program at Emerge Recover in Xenia, Ohio. He is now a certified HVAC technician. I know it took courage for Adam to leave Logan County and blaze this trail for others. In doing so, he has made a lasting contribution to the program.”
“Patricia Haas had to grow up fast. That can be difficult on a person. But she still has a light and good heart,” Judge Braig said.
“Nate Clem went to Christopher House, got sober, and reunited with his family,” Judge Braig said.
“Jackie Bray is a stronger graduate now than she was the first time she graduated. Sometimes the sequel is better than the original,” Judge Braid said.
The ARC treatment team works within the framework of the traditional Logan County Common Pleas Court.
The ARC’s mission is to achieve specific, rehabilitative objectives. The objectives of the ARC are to monitor treatment for substance abuse disorder of ARC participants, encourage and incentivize ARC participants to achieve rehabilitation and personal accountability, and decrease criminal activity and the need for incarceration.
The ARC provides its participants with the support of Judge Braig, Treatment Coordinator and Program Manager Annette Deao, Compliance Officers Jim Pleasant, Mandy Wilber, and Gary Ledford, Logan County Jail liaisons Doug Boggs and Amber Pickford, and treatment providers from TCN Behavioral Health Services, Community Health Wellness, the Justice Reinvestment Grant, Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen, local attorney Natalie Bahan, and others.
The members of the ARC Team share the goals of: (1) empowering ARC participants through treatment, accountability, and responsibility, (2) assisting ARC participants in achieving recovery from substance abuse disorder, and (3) helping ARC participants lead useful and productive lives.
