Grady looks angry and defiant.

Christian appears to be lost in a haze.

That was then. On Friday — as both graduated from the Webster County Drug Court program — they were smiling, laughing and sharing the occasion with family and friends.

The program offers drug offenders treatment and ongoing monitoring rather than incarceration.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Webster County District Court Judge Adria Kester holds up a photo that shows Drug Court graduate Natasha Grady’s arrest photo and her current photo. The framed photos were a gift for the graudates.

Christian graduated the program with 493 days clean. Grady, 112 days.

Both are grateful.

“I would have been dead by now,” Grady said. “I was ready to quit, I was just tired of it.”

“Without the Drug Court I wouldn’t be here today,” Christian said. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

Webster County District Court Judge Adria Kester presided over the graduations and the ongoing cases. Some are just starting out, some are almost ready to graduate.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Drug Court graduate Christina Christian smiles as she opens her graduation present Friday morning.

Clean times ranged from 21 days to well over 500.

Graduation day is her favorite.

“A courtroom is not a place you expect to find celebrations or tears of joy,” Kester said.

Family members got a chance to congratulate the graduates, too.

Grady’s sister, Jameela West, spoke.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Webster County District Court Judge Adria Kester shows off a photo frame with Drug Court graduate Christina Christian’s booking photo and a current photo. Christian graduated from the program Friday morning.

“I just can’t say how much I’m proud of you,” West said. “It just shows how strong and big a person she is. I know it’s hard, I know it’s a struggle. I just want to thank you.”

Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll was on hand for the celebration. Grady had been a client when he was in private practice.

“Natasha and I go way back,” he said. “I represented you numerous times. I always knew there was a good person inside you. I”m just super proud of you.”

Christian’s sister, Jeanine Nokes, was on hand, too.

“I’m just really proud of you,” she said. “There’s a massive difference between then and now.”

Kester said the program involves a variety of things to help; counseling and helping participants find long-term recovery to change lives for the better.

There’s also the reality that if they’re not going to follow the court’s program, they go to prison.

“We use the leverage of Drug Court to keep them engaged,” Kester said. “It saves the taxpayers money. It’s the single most successful program for severely addicted offenders.”

Both Grady and Christian got a print of their booking photo.

That old mug shot is mounted in a frame with a picture taken within the past few weeks.

They look good in their new pictures.

Grady is smiling.

So is Christian.