QUINCY, MA (WBZ-AM) -- It was a graduation of a different kind at the Quincy Drug Court Thursday.
A handful of former addicts received diplomas after completing a strict program, that helped them avoid jail and get their lives back on track.
Judge Mary Beth Heffernan handed out the diplomas and personally congratulated each one of the graduates, who successfully completed the Quincy Drug Court program.
The court gives drug offenders the chance to avoid jail time by getting involved in a strict program, aimed at getting them sober. For David Bent, it's been a life saver.
“I came to this program to avoid jail, not to get sober. But somewhere along the line, when I went to a half way house, I realized I needed to to do this….It made me a better son, a better caretaker, a better person. I'm not hungover, I'm not sick, I'm not broke and I owe it all to Quincy court, the best thing that ever happened to me.” Bent said.
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports.