Knox County Drug Court Foundation Hosts Annual Staff vs. Participants Game

VINCENNES – If you are a graduate of Vincennes Lincoln High School, chances are that you have heard of the V-Men versus Faculty game that happens yearly. The Knox County Drug Court Foundation hosts a yearly Staff versus Participants game. While the staff has won the matchup each of the last two years, the participants and tax payers of Knox County are the real winners.

The Participants in the Knox County Drug Court are members of the community who have been in jail and have been through the court system on drug related charges. Those in the drug court program made the choice to try to work towards sobriety and becoming a productive member of the community instead of becoming a prisoner.

According to the Knox County website for the drug court,  125 graduates have successfully completed the program. Those successful graduates originally faced 391 years of incarceration, which would have cost taxpayers over $7.5 million dollars. The program has also made the parents of 220 Knox County children better parents, breaking the cycle of addiction and fostering healthier families.

The Knox County Drug Court was started by the late Ryan Johanningsmeier in the mid 2010s and was an item he campaigned on bringing if he elected judge. Johanningmeier tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident in 2020.

This year’s game ended in a 12-12 tie. Following the game, participants enjoyed a carry on meal.