NATCHEZ &045; The teen had to admit it: he never thought he would be smiling in court.

After all, when he came to Adams County Youth Court more than one year ago, he was knee-deep in trouble thanks to a life of drug abuse and crime.

But he and two other teens, whose names are not being used because they are juveniles, were grinning from ear to ear Friday evening as they sat in the front row in the courtroom.

So was everyone else in the room &045; counselors, families, girlfriends and even Youth Court Judge John Hudson himself.

That’s because, as of Friday night, the three young men became the first people in Mississippi’s history to graduate from a juvenile drug court.

&uot;This (program) made me realize I was going down the wrong path Š and put me on the right one,&uot; the teen said in his remarks to those who came to wish the graduates well.

Under the drug court program &045; the first juvenile program in the state &045; non-violent juvenile offenders with drug and alcohol problems will appear in court every two weeks to monitor their progress in treatment programs, school and other court-mandated programs.

Offenders are sentenced to inpatient or outpatient treatment programs and also may be ordered to attend meetings of support groups.

Staffers of the Adolescent Offender Program, along with treatment and support group representatives, make sure juveniles are sticking with the program.

Rewards, from sports equipment to food coupons, are swift for those who stick with the program; sanctions are equally as swift.

In a ceremony held in the courtroom, graduates received some of their biggest rewards yet &045; DVD players and $50 savings bonds.

But the biggest reward, they said, has been the opportunity to turn their lives around.

&uot;I learned to stay away from people who pull me to do the wrong thing,&uot; another graduate said. &uot;If I had it all to do over, I’d do (the program) all over again to make this change in my life.&uot;

Even though Counselor/Case Manager Darlene Jones has only worked with the young men since February, she’s seen their files &045; and has seen the change in them in recent months.

&uot;To see how far they’ve come Š makes me so happy,&uot; Jones said. &uot;I told (one of the teens) he would be the role model one day, the one to come here and tell (others in drug court) what they can do. And he will.&uot;

To see teens who stay off drugs, elevate their grades and get along better with teachers, peers and family members is Hudson’s greatest reward, he said Friday.

&uot;You start with kids who are doing poorly in school, poorly at home and poorly in the community, and this changes their lives around,&uot; Hudson said. &uot;Their story is a story of victory.&uot;

&uot;The key is structure. If you do something to violate (drug court conditions) on Monday of your drug court week, you’ll face sanctions on Tuesday,&uot; he said.

On Friday, graduates marched to the front of the courtroom not for sanctions, but to receive their diplomas.

They also gave Hudson a plaque of appreciation for giving them a second chance.

Later, Jones gave graduates a challenge.

&uot;Be winners. Stay focused,&uot; she said. &uot;You can achieve.&uot;