08/27/2026
Today we congratulate Allissia Duran for graduating from Drug Court. Allissia left us with some pretty powerful words (see below). We know there are wonderful, beautiful and more moments like these that lie ahead for her and her family.
“Standing here today is something I honestly wasn't sure I would ever get to do.
There was a time in my life when I couldn't imagine a future beyond the chaos I had created. Addiction didn't just steal my sobriety—it stole my peace, my confidence, my relationships, and the person I knew I was capable of becoming. Eventually, I found myself at a crossroads: I could keep walking the road that was destroying me, or I could take a chance on a completely different life.
That chance was Drug Court.
I'll be honest—I didn't walk into this program believing it would change my life. At first, I was focused on getting through it. I counted the days, checked the boxes, and wondered when it would all be over.
But somewhere along the way, something changed.
I stopped surviving... and I started living.
Drug Court didn't just teach me how to stay sober. It changed the way I think and the way I live. It taught me accountability, honesty, discipline, and that my past does not get to decide my future.
There were hard days. Days I was exhausted, days I cried, and days I questioned whether all of this was worth it. But every time I chose to keep going, I became a little stronger.
Today, I don't stand here because I was perfect.
I stand here because I refused to quit.
Recovery has given me something addiction never could: real freedom. The freedom to wake up with a clear mind, to keep my promises, to be present for the people I love, and to finally become someone I can be proud of.
As a mother, that means more to me than anything. My daughter deserves a mother who is present, dependable, and someone she can look up to. She may never fully understand what it took for me to get here, but she will grow up experiencing the blessings that came from it—and that makes every difficult day worth it.
To the judge, probation, treatment providers, counselors, case managers, and everyone who stood beside me—thank you. Thank you for seeing more in me than my mistakes, for holding me accountable, and for believing I was capable of something better.
And to my fellow Drug Court participants, I want you to remember this:
Our addiction is not our identity.
Our charges are not our identity.
And our worst day is not our identity.
We are not defined by the mistakes we've made. We are defined by what we choose to do next.
There will be days when recovery feels impossible. Keep going anyway. There will be days when nobody sees how hard you're fighting. Keep going anyway.
Because eventually, you'll look back and realize that all those small choices added up to a life you once couldn't imagine having.
Today, I graduate Drug Court, but my recovery doesn't end here.
This is only the beginning.
I choose growth. I choose peace. I choose my family. I choose my future.
And every day, I will continue choosing recovery.
Today I leave this program with more than sobriety and more than a certificate.
I leave with a second chance at life.
And I don't plan on wasting it.
Thank you.”
We also extend our thanks to Larry Duran, a Drug Court alumni, who continues to show up to support other participants and be a daily impact in the recovery community. He is also Allissia’s uncle and shared words of support, wisdom and encouragement.
