(La Porte County, IN) - More lives are changing for the better under a program helping drug and alcohol-related offenders in La Porte County.

 

Five people are the most recent graduates from the Problem Solving Court formed in 2012. The court hears cases involving crimes stemming from substance abuse.

 

The goal of the Problem Solving Court is not to put offenders in jail but, instead, recover from substance abuse and become productive members of society.

 

La Porte County Commissioner Rich Mrozinski was taken back by some of the stories told by graduates while attending the latest graduation ceremony earlier this month. He said one woman spoke about her downward spiral until arrested by the Michigan City Police Department. The woman thanked the department for saving her as it caused her to go in the opposite direction with her life.

 

La Porte Superior Court 4 Judge Greta Friedman, who presides over mostly lower-level felony and misdemeanor cases, presides over most cases and played a significant role in starting the rehabilitation program.

 

Authorities said it’s essential to break the cycle for people whose substance abuse causes them to keep committing crimes.