The Alexander City Outlook

21 graduate from ACCBF substance abuse program

Twenty-one men got a second chance at life Friday when they graduated from an intensive substance abuse program at the Alexander City Community Base Facility.

The men were all state prisoners, and according to Lavina Burt who teaches recovery classes at the facility, most were convicted of crimes relating to alcohol or drugs.

Waking each morning at around 3 a.m. and working in the kitchen of the ACCBF, the men battled addition to drugs and alcohol during the six-week program.

The ACCBF, according to Burt, helps teach inmates working skills they can use when they re-enter society.

She also said the state invests the time and resources in the substance abuse program in hopes of preventing repeat offenses.

Family members of the men and Alexander City police captain George Carter attended the ceremony. During the program, each graduate had a chance to address the crowd. Some spoke of how the program works while others simply offered reflections or affirmations from their life.

Speaking of his addiction, Anthony Baldwin described walking down a street and repeatedly falling into an inescapable hole.

“This morning I walked down a different street, the road to recovery,” he said.

Part of the 12-step program is a commitment to working with other addicts to over come their substance abuse problems.

“These guys have worked hard every day,” she said. “They have earned their way to this day.”

Burt praised the men for their efforts to overcome addiction. She also encouraged the family members to be supportive of the men but to be aware of the possibility of failure.

Sandra Weaver, the aunt of graduate John Tucker, said she was pleased her nephew had completed the program.

“I’m so happy and so proud of him,” Weaver said.