Knoxville Day Reporting Center Graduates Eleven
Occasion Marks Approximately One Year Of Sobriety For Each
KNOXVILLE – Last night, the Tennessee Department of Correction’s Knoxville Day Reporting Center (DRC) held a graduation ceremony, it’s second since the implementation of the program in 2017. A total of eleven clients were honored, marking their completion of the three-phase intensive, substance abuse treatment program and a year or more of sobriety. Since opening, the DRC program has provided tailored treatment to each participant, utilizing evidence-based programming, taking nine to twelve months to complete.
“On too many occasions, I’ve looked across my courtroom and seen your faces. I am happy and proud to look across the room and see your faces once again, on this occasion,” Knoxville Criminal Court Judge Scott Green told the graduates during the ceremony. “I know the journey to get to this point hasn’t been easy and I hope that you see tonight’s success as proof you can do it and that your journey from here on out will be a little better.”
“This program, the DRC program, not only gave me the chance to change my life but showed me how to do so,” said Garfield Blake, one of the graduates. “I learned that addiction doesn’t have to be the end, that I can beat it, and more importantly, there are people in this community who want to help.”
Addressing the causes of recidivism is essential to enhancing public safety. Often times, offenders’ criminal behavior is directly related to a struggle with substance abuse. The DRC program serves to address these issues through daily reporting, comprehensive treatment, and access to resources, all within a model focused on accountability and self-discipline. Reducing recidivism through evidence-based programs is a central element of the Tennessee Department of Correction’s non-negotiable mission to ensure and enhance public safety.
