Upland man awarded out patient graduate of the year

Willie Tarwater, 45,  was recognized as "Out Patient" graduate of the year during the Inland Valley Recovery Services graduation Wednesday night at the Grove Theatre.

Tarwater has been off methamphetamine and alcohol for 219 days.

"It's the beginning," he said. "I'm trying to get my daughter back. That's my goal. I want to be a good dad and husband."

The moment Tarwater realized he needed to seek treatment was the day his 3 year-old daughter was taken away from him. 

Tarwater's goal now besides staying clean is to get his daugther back, he said.

"I had all this sickness in me I had to fight," Tarwater said. "When I had to give my daughter to my mother-in-law it was all gone."