Blaze Solis, left, receives his Mental Health Court certificate from Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Bruce Winters on May 8. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)
BY SHERI TRUSTY
PORT CLINTON – When Blaze Solis came into Judge Bruce Winters’ Ottawa County Common Pleas courtroom, he had been charged with a felony and had overdosed and been revived by Narcan eight times. Regardless of Solis’ past, Winters recognized the potential in Solis for a great future. Winters referred Solis to Mental Health Court, a program created to provide intervention for offenders with mental health concerns, giving them a chance at a new life and decreasing the chances of recidivism.
Solis took advantage of the opportunity, and on May 8, he graduated from Mental Health Court in front of a courtroom full of friends, family, court staff and treatment team members.
Mental Health Court Program Coordinator, Jaimee Prieur, said Solis set goals when he entered the program. He wanted to stay sober, earn his GED, and get a driver’s license, a car and a job.
“I don’t know if you thought that was realistic at the time, but you accomplished every bit of it,” Prieur said. “You changed every aspect of your life from three years ago.”
Winters praised Solis for overcoming obstacles that arose in his Mental Health Court journey.
Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Bruce Winters, right, talks with Blaze Solis before his graduation from Mental Health Court on May 8. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)
“You came back stronger. It’s been fun to watch you grow. You are absolutely not the same person you were,” Winters said. “This isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. We’re here to help you, from now until forever.”
Miranda Mann, who serves on the court’s treatment team, also recognized the change in Solis.
“Seeing the change over time is huge. The light came on inside you, and it became visible on the outside,” she said. “Keep moving your feet so your higher power can keep transforming your heart.”
Solis said he used to wake up every day and “chase a high.” He is grateful for the help he received through Mental Health Court.
“I didn’t want to live. Thank you to all of you for helping me become who I am today,” he said. “I can see a future for myself now.”
I love this so much! Finally, it appears people seem to be understanding that addiction and mental health go hand in hand. Then the downward spiral happens. Agencies play the blame game starting with the Drs. which is the wrong thing to do. 99% of the Drs. are doing the right thing. Stop trying to villainize everyone. Way to go all of you! Great first steps!