NORWICH – Chenango County Treatment Court officials celebrated the graduation of one of their participants earlier this week, stating that the organization wants individuals to know that they can have a future that doesn't involve addiction.

According to Norwich City Court Judge Michael Genute, this graduation ceremony was held after approximately a year of not hosting ceremonies.

"We're doing things a little differently than in recent history," said Genute. "We've added phases to the program, and we're trying to look at what is going to inspire more of our participants to make it through."

He said by hosting graduation ceremonies, having the graduators give a speech about the journey, and by inviting other participants to come watch the process, he hopes to see a positive response.

Chenango County Treatment Court Graduate Mathew Begeal said now that he's graduated one of the hardest parts of the process begins.

"People think that once the process is over everything gets easier, but the reality is for people who are addicted to something, you know you're being watched while you're on the program," said Begeal. "Now that it's over, and people aren't checking up on you, the hard part begins."

He said coming into the program he thought it would be a quick in and out process, that he was confident he could pass through it without issue, but the treatment court program turned out to be surprisingly challenging.

"It wasn't easy, but now I'm looking forward to getting out there and being a positive force in my community," he added.

Genute said several participants have failed out of the program this year, leading to harsher sentences for them in the end.

"We want people to succeed, and the participants know that if they make mistakes and fail out of the program, often times they're receiving a harsher prison sentence then they normally might have," said Genute.