Jeff Christian, CTPartners and Number 12 Foundation Founder, Tells Drug Court Graduates They're Lucky

CLEVELAND, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeff Christian, founder of executive search firm CTPartners (NYSE Amex: CTP), who lost his company, his family, and almost his life as a result of his addiction to prescription painkillers, was the keynote speaker at the Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Drug Court graduation held at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on February 9.  Christian's demise eventually landed him in prison as a direct result of his addiction.

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Upon release from prison, Christian founded The Number 12 Foundation, whose mission is saving the lives of addicts and their families' suffering from the disease of alcoholism and addiction by building bridges to lasting recovery.  

Christian found his own salvation through his own foundation.  Today he is back with his wife and family, has a good job, and stays sober a day at a time, by helping others.

In addressing the graduates, Christian underscored that Drug Court was their lucky break.

"I'm lucky to be here today, lucky to be alive.  I look out at the people here today and think about how lucky you are to be in Drug Court and not to be dead or to have ended up as I did, in prison," remarked Christian.

Christian's words were backed up by living proof of the graduates at the ceremony, and the history and success of the Drug Court. There were 51 graduates, 29 from the county program and 22 from the city.  A total of 1,042 people have successfully completed the Drug Court program since its inception 13 years ago.  To date, almost 80% remain sober and drug-free.

Remarking about Christian's address, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge David Matia said, "Jeff inspired the graduates to keep using the tools that they learned in drug court that are essential for a life of successful sobriety."

Added Judge Anita Laster Mays, "His speech was enlightening because so many people in our program think addiction affects just lower income folks, or those in Hollywood.  Mr. Christian showed us it affects individuals in all walks of life."

Christian closed by saying, "It isn't luck that's going to keep you clean and sober. The luck part is over.

"Now starts the hard work.  Now starts the time where you guys have to get active in the world of recovery if you want to have a good life...And, it's about helping another suffering alcoholic and addict.

"The hard work has paid off for me.  I have a good job, my wife and family back, and my sobriety," he said.

About The Number 12 Foundation

The Number 12 Foundation is a non-profit foundation with the mission of saving the lives of addicts and their families' suffering from the disease of alcoholism and addiction by building bridges to lasting recovery.  Go to http://www.Number12Foundation.org.

About The Drug Court

The Drug Court Program is a sanction-based yearlong program that emphasizes treatment and accountability.  Should a participant fail a drug test, or is otherwise non-compliant, a penalty is imposed.  The Greater Cleveland Drug Court was created in 1998 under the direction of the Honorable Larry A. Jones and taken over in 2009 by Judge Mays.  The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court became a partner in the program later that year.

SOURCE Cleveland Municipal Court; The Number 12 Foundation