Trading out prosecution for opportunity: Lubbock Drug Court graduation

LUBBOCK, Texas — Thursday afternoon, three people graduated from drug court and are ready to start their new sober lives.

Drug court is a program that gives nondangerous offenders a chance at a new and sober life.

Lubbock County Judge, William Eichman, said it is a nice change of pace being able to offer opportunity instead of prosecution.

The program typically lasts around 18 months but one missed or failed drug test puts you back in the first of the three phases you must pass to graduate.

One of Thursday’s graduates was TJ Cathey, he is now 786 days sober and said that without the program he saw “no way out but to die.”

“Today, after going to the drug court program, I have my family back in my life. I have more friends than I could ever imagine,” said Cathey.

TJ is now an employee at Fire Sky Ranch, a men’s rehab facility and his bosses said he is a star employee who has come a long way.

The program awards those involved with gift cards for things such as getting a job or applying for school.

A Lubbock father, Danny Koch, is a big advocate for the program as he lost his son Jay to an overdose in 2017.

“My wife and me, we made a commitment that we would pay forward and try to help others even though we lost Jay to a drug overdose”

Koch has begun working with local dentists in the area to help give participants of drug court not just a new opportunity but a new smile as well.

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