Capacity crowd attends Mt. Vernon Drug Treatment Court graduation ceremony
A capacity crowd attended the Mount Vernon Drug Treatment Court graduation ceremony held in a courtroom on Friday, April 6, at the Ronald A. Blackwood Building in Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon Drug Treatment Court was established in October 2000, and is a specialized part of the Mount Vernon City Court.
The basic concept behind Drug Court is a dramatic intervention by the court, in cooperation with an entire team including defense counsel, prosecutor, treatment providers and counselors, and law enforcement. In return for a promise of a dismissal of the charges, or in some instances a reduced sentence, appropriate, non-violent, addicted offenders are given the option of voluntarily entering into court-supervised intensive outpatient or in-patient treatment programs.
The rules and conditions of participation are clearly stated in a contract entered into by the defendant, the defense attorney, the district attorney, and the court. A goal of Drug Court is to empower participants by providing resources so that they can have a better life.
Acting as the Master of Ceremony was Judge Adrian N. Armstrong, who is the Mount Vernon Drug Treatment Court judge.
The total number of graduates included four male individuals, and many proud family members and friends were in attendance to support them.
The ceremony included several high profile speakers consisting of New York State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Rev. Dr. Angela Ryan, former Mount Vernon City Councilwoman Roberta Apuzzo, Judge Nichelle Johnson, and Mount Vernon City Councilwomen Delia Farguharson and Janice Duarte.
During her speech, Rev. Dr. Angela Ryan stated: “Don’t forget about the gravitational pull that will be trying to pull you back to your old ways. You now have a great opportunity to move forward in a very positive way.”
Guest speakers also included three former graduates from 2009, 2013 ad 2014, and the keynote speaker was Victor J. Clarke, who was incarcerated for 29 years.
A closing prayer was provided by Rev. Edward Mulraine from Unity Baptist Church, who also provided the graduates with a copy of his new book to help them in their recovery.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the guests were treated to a reception in another room, which included food, refreshments and dessert.
Due to strict New York State Unified Court System rules, pictures were not allowed to be taken during the ceremony.
A capacity crowd attended the Mount Vernon Drug Treatment Court graduation ceremony held in a courtroom on Friday, April 6, at the Ronald A. Blackwood Building in Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon Drug Treatment Court was established in October 2000, and is a specialized part of the Mount Vernon City Court.
The basic concept behind Drug Court is a dramatic intervention by the court, in cooperation with an entire team including defense counsel, prosecutor, treatment providers and counselors, and law enforcement. In return for a promise of a dismissal of the charges, or in some instances a reduced sentence, appropriate, non-violent, addicted offenders are given the option of voluntarily entering into court-supervised intensive outpatient or in-patient treatment programs.
The rules and conditions of participation are clearly stated in a contract entered into by the defendant, the defense attorney, the district attorney, and the court. A goal of Drug Court is to empower participants by providing resources so that they can have a better life.
Acting as the Master of Ceremony was Judge Adrian N. Armstrong, who is the Mount Vernon Drug Treatment Court judge.
The total number of graduates included four male individuals, and many proud family members and friends were in attendance to support them.
The ceremony included several high profile speakers consisting of New York State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Rev. Dr. Angela Ryan, former Mount Vernon City Councilwoman Roberta Apuzzo, Judge Nichelle Johnson, and Mount Vernon City Councilwomen Delia Farguharson and Janice Duarte.
During her speech, Rev. Dr. Angela Ryan stated: “Don’t forget about the gravitational pull that will be trying to pull you back to your old ways. You now have a great opportunity to move forward in a very positive way.”
Guest speakers also included three former graduates from 2009, 2013 ad 2014, and the keynote speaker was Victor J. Clarke, who was incarcerated for 29 years.
A closing prayer was provided by Rev. Edward Mulraine from Unity Baptist Church, who also provided the graduates with a copy of his new book to help them in their recovery.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the guests were treated to a reception in another room, which included food, refreshments and dessert.
Due to strict New York State Unified Court System rules, pictures were not allowed to be taken during the ceremony.