By Sarah Schulz
sarah.schulz@theindependent.com

Behrends was arrested in Cozad and was given the chance to take part in a newly-formed drug court in Lexington. She took the opportunity just so she could get out of jail. After running away and getting caught twice, Behrends moved to Grand Island and was transferred to the Central Nebraska Drug Court, which serves Hall, Adams, Buffalo and Phelps counties.

"I like doing things my way," she said. "I didn't get why they wanted me to do the things they did. I thought if everyone would just get on the same page as me, the world would be better. But I've learned that life's not that way."

On Friday, Behrends and 12 others participated in a graduation ceremony at the Law Enforcement Center. The group included the 150th Central Nebraska Drug Court graduate.

Behrends, who has been sober for 15 months, said she's grateful for the opportunities drug court gave her. She knows she's stubborn and that she needed discipline. The drug court staff and treatment personnel helped her realize there was a different way to live and they reconnected her with her family.

"I'm really glad my mom could be here today," Behrends said, fighting back tears. "I got a lot of help and I'm thankful for it. I can't say thank you enough."

Connie Hultine, drug court coordinator, said Behrends has changed during her time in the program. When she first went before the judge, she stomped her feet as if to say, 'Why don't they believe me?'

"Now she's quit stomping," Hultine said.

She also outlined some of the other changes Behrends and her fellow graduates have gone through during their time in drug court. All the participants have between 14 and 28 months of sobriety, five have completed time in halfway house programs and all are employed. Eight children have been reunited with their parents and three drug-free babies were born during the 18 months the graduates have been in the drug court, she said.

In order to have the felony charges that brought them to drug court dismissed, the graduates must maintain sobriety for three more months.

Hultine also quickly outlined the things each participant was proud of accomplishing. They include being proud of being sober, of becoming better people, of rebuilding relationships, of being employed, of learning to take life on life's terms, of finding a higher power and of being parents.

Keynote speaker Sen. Ray Aguilar congratulated the graduates on all of their hard work.

"It feels wonderful doesn't it?" he said. "Thank you for letting others help you do what you couldn't do on your own."

Aguilar also thanked the drug court staff and Hall County Sheriff Jerry Watson, who was instrumental in starting the drug court, for letting him assist with the program. He worked on legislation to help fund and establish drug courts.

Since the Central Nebraska Drug Court began in 2002, 152 people have graduated from the program.

"That's 152 lives put back on track," Aguilar said

It is impossible to put a price on the number of medical problems that have been avoided, crimes that haven't been committed, families that have been united, jobs that have been worked and drug-free babies that have been born as a result of drug courts, he said.

Watson's statements echoed Aguilar's. Ninety percent of the Central Nebraska Drug Court graduates have been successful and he believes part of that is due to Aguilar's dedication to drug enforcement legislation.

"That speaks loudly," he said of the success rate.