KEALAKEKUA — About 19 drug court participants stood in front of family, friends, counselors and employers in Big Island Drug Court on Halekii Street to declare their appreciation for them as they continue to work toward a life of sobriety.
On Monday, drug court officials recognized May as National Drug Court Month. The morning was marked with the graduation of three drug court participants, which was followed by an appreciation ceremony.
“Thank you for giving them a second and third chance employers, family and friends,” Drug Court Judge Melvin Fujino said in the crowded courtroom. “Thank you so much for helping us with drug court.”
Six of the participants thanked Luis Felix, head chef at Island Naturals.
“I’m appreciating my boss today,” said 30-year-old Jostin Santana. “Thank you for teaching me and trusting me with your kitchen.”
Santana started working for Felix in November.
“Just believing in me, he made me a supervisor in a couple of months,” the 30-year-old said. “It’s helped in recovery with being responsible.”
Santana added his job has kept him focused on his priorities.
Zackery Meno was another one of the drug court participants to thank Felix.
Meno said employment with Felix has given him a chance to get on his feet.
“A lot of folks look at us and wouldn’t give us a second chance,” Meno said of himself and fellow drug court participants. “He saw something in me I didn’t see in myself.”
Each time Felix got up to accept the appreciation of his employee, he said he was blessed to have the Drug Court participants at Island Naturals.
“It might seem unorthodox, but I have six of these beautiful souls in my kitchen,” Felix said. “God has put me in the path I was in to help them.”
Felix recalled his own issues with alcohol, which resulted in him going to jail many years ago.
“My mentors helped me, like I’m helping them,” Felix said. “I feel like I have to give back, not just to the community but to God for where I am today.”
Felix was humbled by his certificates of appreciation from six of the drug court participants.
“The decisions I’m making are changing lives,” he said. “I love my boys.”
An appreciation ceremony is important for drug court participants.
“We want them to think about people who are helping them on their way to sobriety,” Fujino said.
The judge added how much he appreciates the community support.
Since the implementation of Hawaii’s first drug court in 1996, more than 2,000 people have graduated and found success in improving their lives.