From drug court to law school

Four years ago, Landon Hacker needed a lawyer after his drug abuse and repeated brushes with the law landed him in prison.

Hacker was headed in a bad direction, a cocaine and heroin junkie and homeless. A New Jersey judge predicted that Hacker would probably spend most of his life in prison.

He managed to turn his life around, thanks to a state drug court program that gives offenders a second chance. He also moved a step closer this week to becoming a lawyer.

Hacker, 28, of Burlington City, gave the keynote address Thursday in Mount Holly at two drug court commencement ceremonies, the same program he graduated from in 2014.

"Not in my wildest dreams could I have ever imagined the places life has taken me," Hacker told the graduates. "This program ultimately saved my life."

Hacker graduated from Rutgers-Camden in January with a 4.0 average and a bachelor's degree in political science. He learned this week that he had been accepted to Rutgers-Camden Law School and Widener Law School.

A paralegal at a Cherry Hill law firm, Hacker plans to enroll in law school in September and pursue his dream of becoming a criminal defense lawyer specializing in drug-related crimes and helping those with addictions, just like the lawyer who rescued him.

It was a stark change for a young man who began using drugs seriously at age 19. He eventually became homeless, sleeping on the beach at the Jersey Shore or under the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden. After pleading guilty to a string of drug charges in 2012, he had a choice: five years in prison or drug court.

"I truly believe that we are not bad people, but rather good people who made bad decisions," Hacker said. "I know what it feels like to be hopeless and helpless. I want to give back to others."

The drug court program started in Camden County in 1996 and expanded statewide six years later. An alternative to prison, it typically entails years' worth of drug tests and court appearances. Individuals who complete the program typically escape more serious time behind bars.

"The stories that were told today are inspiring to all of us," said Superior Court Assignment Judge Ronald E. Bookbinder. "This is about second chances."

About 200 people are enrolled in drug court in Burlington County.

Statewide, more than 19,000 people have enrolled in the program since it began in 2002. Of those, 4,200 completed all phases of the program, state statistics show.

More than 6,000 people participate currently. The program has collected $10 million in fines and penalties.

The program has a good track record. Only 2.7 percent of those who complete the requirements have landed new sentences to state prison.

Hacker's turnaround of being clean and employed for nearly four years resonated with the crowd. He urged those battling "the horrors of addiction" to "never give up on yourself."

"This program is about transforming lives," said Christopher J. Garrenger, the county's new drug court judge.

At each of two ceremonies in a packed courtroom Thursday in the historic old Burlington County courthouse in Mount Holly, five graduates received plaques. The audience included lawyers, prosecutors, and judges. Family and friends cheered.

"I wanted to give up," admitted Jeffrey Weiss, who spent three years in drug court. "I got better."

Each graduate had an emotional story about recovery and redemption. Some choked back tears as they called the program a turning point in their lives.

Two women who graduated delivered drug-free babies while in drug court, and two others moved into management positions at their jobs. Statewide, nearly 500 drug-free babies have been born to participants.

"I had to ask myself, am I willing to save my own life," said Kristine Biermann, 43, of Mount Holly. "I couldn't do it for anybody but me."

Biermann ended her emotional remarks with an announcement that drew a burst of applause.

"Guess what guys, I'm going to Disney! I wanted to say that forever," she said.

mburney@phillynews.com

856-779-3814 @mlburney