OBSERVER Photos by M.J. Stafford Treatment Court Coordinator Lee Ann Lazarony hugs a graduate recently at a ceremony in Dunkirk to honor 11 people who successfully navigated city and county “drug court” programs.

Last month in Dunkirk’s courtroom, 11 people were honored for returning to life.

They are graduates of the “drug court” program, which offers treatment to people convicted of substance abuse-related offenses, in an alternative to jail sentences. The ceremony combined graduates of the city treatment court and the Chautauqua County Opiate Treatment Court.

Jail or a strict treatment program may seem like two grim choices. But as graduates made clear Thursday, the choices available to addicts could be even grimmer.

More than one said they didn’t care if they lived or died, had no respect for law enforcement, and had to be given the lifesaving anti-opioid drug Narcan multiple times.

One graduate said what led her to drug court was getting pulled over by police twice in four hours. Another graduate, Joe, said he was shot in the chest with a pellet gun out on the streets and lived in church pews for a time.

“I love recovery,” Joe told a couple spectators before the ceremony began. (Last names are not used in drug court.) “You have no idea what my life was like when I was homeless.”

Joe added, “I’m so glad. God has given me strength. I want to spread that love around.” He noted that he recently saw his child for the first time in three years. Joe later joked that he can’t believe the price of ramen noodles in the supermarkets — they are cheaper in the Chautauqua County Jail.

Program graduate Janet said the drug court “has helped me not lose everything again because of a relapse.” She expressed thanks that she could hold onto her home and her children.

Johnny said, “Thanks for not giving up on me and having faith in me when no one did. Drug court showed me it was possible I could do anything, if I put my mind to it.”

It was an emotional ceremony, with some graduates brought to tears. Lee Ann Lazarony, the treatment court coordinator, cried at times herself.

City Court Judge John Kuzdale commented near the start of the proceedings, “As all of us know, there is a serious drug problem in this county. It seems there is little any of us can do. That’s not the case. We do have some capability.”

He said reclaiming lives is “mission No. 1 here.”

County Executive PJ Wendel acknowledged the strictness of the program but said, “Don’t ever mistake that pushing is anger, or hatred, or not out of love.”

He recalled, while coaching, getting concerned about an assistant coach’s odd behavior one day. Wendel thought he was sick — but the assistant said later, “No, I was high.”

Wendel said, “That day opened my eyes that these people walk with us and among us and we don’t know the battles they are facing.”

“We are so very proud of you,” he said to the graduates.

Joe had some parting advice for people fighting addictions.

“Just keep going… Get uncomfortable and stay there,” he said. “I’m not talking about going to the dope house. I’m talking about doing the next, good things, and doing them when people aren’t looking.”