On Monday, 22 people from the three counties that make up the Fourth Circuit Drug Court became certified graduates of the highly acclaimed drug court program.
During the annual ceremony, at the J.T. Hall Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi Delta Community College, supervising drug court judge Margaret Carey-McCray congratulated the participants, presented diplomas and commended the graduates for a job well done.
Circuit Judge Carol White-Richard gave an overview of the program and Circuit Judge Ashley Hines gave special recognition to former graduates of the program, elected officials and other drug court advocates. This year’s ceremony featured keynote speaker, Major Alan Phillips, former commander of the Greenville Salvation Army.
Phillips shared his personal story with the graduates and their families and friends while encouraging them to seek success through what they have gained from the program.
“You’re my heroes. You stuck it out,” he said. Phillips told the graduates they had done what was required but reminded them that their achievement was a journey and not just a destination.
Phillips enjoined the graduates to consider their inner strength, “you don’t have to use, no matter what.” He assured them that no matter what comes before them down the road, it shouldn’t induce them back into a life of substance abuse.
He shared stories about encounters he had that changed his life and while fighting back tears, gave praise to his wife Cheryl for her constant support. He concluded his remarks to the graduates by insisting, “you’re going to make it, you’re going to absolutely make it.”
Judge Carey-McCray said that from the moment Phillips arrived in Greenville as commander of the Salvation Army there, he immediately began working vigorously with the drug court program.
Phillips joined the Salvation Army officers’ training school in the summer of 1981 and married the first person he met there, his wife Cheryl. Together they have commanded corps in several states over a career that has spanned more than 30 years.
Phillips was assigned as an FBI liaison for the Salvation Army’s response team in the aftermath of the 9/11 incident and has served on several disaster teams in response to natural calamities across the nation.
He is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie School for Public Speaking and was awarded the Victor Wallace Service Award by the drug court in 2015. He is now retired.
The Victor Wallace Service honor, now in its 12th year, was instituted in honor of Victor L. Wallace Sr., a retired law enforcement officer who volunteered his service to the Fourth Circuit Drug Court from its inception. The award is presented each year to a person who voluntarily and willingly gives unselfishly his time, energy and resources to the program and this year it was awarded to Sen. Derrick T. Simmons.
Judge Carey-McCray called Simmons one of the best advocates the drug court could possibly have.
The Fourth Circuit Drug Court is comprised of Sunflower, Leflore and Washington counties.
