L to R: Judge Michael Collins, Shanda Key, Edwina Freeman, Alyissa Carter, Brian Stilwell, Jacob Key, & Jacob Hardy-Moore
(Smith County Insider Press) Carthage, Tenn. — On Wednesday, December 13, the Smith County Misdemeanor Drug Court program held a graduation ceremony at the Smith County Court Facility. Four participates graduated, Alyissa Carter, Jacob Key, Brian Stilwell, and Edwina Freeman.
The Smith County Misdemeanor Drug Court Program was established in March 2015 through the efforts of the Fifteenth Judicial Drug Court Program, Judge Michael Collins, and concerned citizens of Smith County. The program currently serves in conjunction with the felony program to provide a full range of services to the Smith County Judicial System. 
Drug Court replaces the traditional justice system processing. It keeps individuals in treatment long enough for recovery to work while supervising them closely usually a minimum of 1 year. Drug courts are the most effective justice intervention for treating drug addicted people. Drug court reduces drug use, reduces crime, saves money, restores lives, and reunites families. Addicts go through several phases of treatment all of which are a process to get them reestablished in life. The first phase requires participants to get employment and attend recovery meetings throughout the week. Each day they report to a case manager who assists them with daily activities, this is a mandatory requirement for all drug court members. Close supervision for a minimum of a year is done to make sure all requirements are met. They are held accountable to Judge Collins to met their obligations to the court, society, themselves and to their families. They are regularly and randomly tested for drug use and required to appear in court once per week so that the judge may review their progress. They are rewarded for doing well or sanctioned when they do not live up to their obligations.
L to R: Shanda Key and Kandra Preston
The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition also presented a Community Impact Award to Shanda Key for her partnership with the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition and for fighting addiction in Smith County.
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