The 19th Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program class graduated on Friday, Aug. 15, in the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom. In the front from left are members Michael Nelson, Nathaniel Hollett and William Wind; mentor Harold Lewis who was part of the 18th JCAP class; and member Jesse Messer. In the back are Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith; JCAP Coordinator Casey Trombley; and members Ridley Brown, Justin Brinegar, Kevin Hall and Zachary Springer.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Justin Brinegar started using drugs when he was around 12 and almost passed away from a fentanyl-laced heroin overdose in 2020.

However he credits the Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program for changing his life.

Brinegar was one of eight graduates from Kosciusko County JCAP’s 19th class on Friday, Aug. 15. Family, friends and other supporters gathered in the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom for the ceremony.

Like other JCAPs around the state, Kosciusko County’s program allows inmates who volunteer to join it to address their chemical addictions while taking life skills classes, with service providers helping with both.

Along with Brinegar, other graduates were William Wind, Ridley Brown, Zachary Springer, Nathaniel Hollett, Kevin Hall, Jesse Messer and Michael Nelson.

Harold Lewis, who was part of the 18th Kosciusko County JCAP class, served as a mentor.

“I shouldn’t be here today, but by the grace of God, I am here,” said Brinegar when the graduates spoke during the ceremony. “Through this process after violating my probation, I was given the opportunity to be a part of something much, much bigger than myself: a chance to join the JCAP 19 class. Let me tell you folks, this well-organized, well-thought out, intense immersive, and I mean very immersive … program has given me the insight about myself and why I do the things I do.”

Brinegar said he learned why he “self-medicates with the use of drugs.”

“I learned that I have much to offer society and most importantly that I have value,” he said. “I truly believe this program has given me a new lease on life. I am very grateful that God has put a hand on me and my family through this time.”

Smith speaks at the ceremony.

Brinegar concluded by reading John 8:12. It reads: “I am the Light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

The class members thanked various people for helping with JCAP.

Wind said he was grateful to Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith, Kosciusko County Jail Commander Lt. Kevin Gelbaugh and Kosciusko County JCAP Coordinator Casey Trombley among others.

“Never did I think I would have people in authority care for me and root me on,” Wind said. “It’s always about, let’s lock him up. When he’s done, let’s throw him out the door and let him fend for myself.”

The ceremony also included the men getting certificates from Smith, Trombley and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris McKeand, with the men giving Trombley a gift in return.

Kosciusko County Councilwoman Rachael Rhoades, who has done work with jail ministry, sang the song “Chain Breaker” by Zach Williams, with a video also shown of the men’s time in the class.

University of St. Francis professor Dr. Ron Lewis, who helped with part of the class, spoke, as did Trombley and some past graduates.

Smith also talked.

He encouraged the men to build on “the foundation” that they obtained in JCAP through the rest of their lives.

Smith reminded them that life is mostly how people “respond” to it and not the actual circumstances.

“Go respond,” he said.

The next JCAP class should start in September.

Trombley, left, receives a gift from the class members.