Five people celebrated a different kind of graduation Wednesday at the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids, marking their completion of an 18 to 24-month program designed to break the cycle of addiction and incarceration.
The Problem-Solving Court promotes recovery for those facing criminal charges related to substance use disorders.
“I lost custody of my daughter, I lost my home, I lost family, I lost everything,” said graduate Tiffany Betzer, who was addicted to methamphetamine two years ago.
Through the program, Betzer has maintained sobriety and rebuilt her life. “Because of this program and programs like this, I’ve been able to get it all back and more. But it was a hard time,” she said.
Commencement speaker Irving Lugo, who graduated from the program in February, credits it with saving his life…