Twenty Amazing Years

Specialty Court graduations are always special, especially those held by the Harris County STAR Drug Courts. The atmosphere is festive as the graduates parade in, dressed in cap and gown and cheered on by family and supporters. As each graduate is invited to speak, it is inspiring to see the pride on their faces as they describe the challenges and obstacles they conquered to successfully complete the rigorous court program.

The most recent STAR Court graduation topped them all. It was a celebration of 20 years of the courts helping those with substance use disorder who are chronically involved in the criminal justice system. The Harris County STAR Drug Courts were founded in 2003 and since then, over 800 people have graduated. That is 800 people who most likely would have continued to cycle in and out of the criminal justice system had they not experienced the treatment focused program that is the hallmark of Drug Courts.

Justice Forward has been there from the beginning. Founded by members of the Unitarian Universalist Church, we were known as the Harris County Drug Court Foundation. An all-volunteer organization until 2019, the nonprofit raised money to support those going through the drug court program by funding transitional housing, transportation, and educational stipends. In 2020 we rebranded as Justice Forward and began working with all the specialty courts in Harris County including those with mental health disorders, veterans, families, and juveniles involved in gangs and human trafficking.

 The anniversary graduation was held in one of the beautifully restored courtrooms in the 1910 Harris County Courthouse. The court, including the balcony, was packed with well-wishers, past graduates and former Drug Court judges. The mood was celebratory and joyful as all came together to celebrate success and recovery.

Please enjoy the photos from this special event. This is what recovery looks like.