There were more than a few tears shed at the Perry county drug court graduation in hazard.

Sitting side by side 25 year-old Celena Jones and 26 year-old Matthew Caudill talk about the last couple of years.

"There is always hope if you want. If you want it bad enough it is there. But nobody needs to take likely that this program is just something you just walk through" Jones said.

"If it was not for this program, I would probably be dead or in prison" Caudill said.

Jones and Caudill are two of nine former drug users that completed the drug court program. Their accomplishments were recognized in front of their families and several dignitaries including Secretary of Justice and Public Safety J. Michael Brown.

"The freedom to get up and turn around and walk out and have another shot at life is something that you better hold onto. You better remember" Brown said.

Both graduates say they will never forget their journey to be drug free.

"Anything you can think of I lost it" Jones said.

"There is a better way of life out there. I am living proof of it. I have been down that road and I have managed to come back" Caudill added.

Both say drugs took away their lives and now they are glad to have them back.