Three locals expressed excitement about their new paths in life as they graduated from 34th Ray County Drug Court recently. The Richmond courtroom was filled with the graduates — Bradlee Adams, Rachel Tarrant and Michael Merriman — and their supporting families. Ray County Drug Court program is a judicially supervised, court-focused workspace that combines substance use treatment with community supervision for offenders with serious substance abuse issues. Ray County Judge Kevin Walden and Probation and Parole Officer Kevin Sowers, along with the prosecutor, defense counsel, law enforcement and Beacon Mental Health Services work together to assist addicted offenders in longterm recovery. Walden explained drug courts can last up to 18 months and offers tailored treatment services to the individual based on their risk and needs. “I tell the participants time and time again we are creating your plan. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation,” said Walden. “Every person in the program…