Northern Arkansas Drug Court Awarded $550,000 Grant

Arkansas’ 14th Judicial District Drug Court has been awarded a $550,000 grant to be used to enhance several elements of its treatment court program.

The funds were awarded under the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program.
The 14th Judicial District Drug Court is a post-conviction drug treatment program designed for criminal defendants with long-term substance abuse issues.

“Drug treatment courts are a critical component of today’s criminal justice system and they’re having a positive impact on changing habits, healing families and saving lives,” says U.S. Senator John Boozman. “This grant will build on the 14th Judicial District Drug Court’s success and deliver more help to Arkansans so we can continue fighting and reducing drug abuse.”

The mission of drug court is to promote public safety and the quality of life for its participants and the community by providing structure and support for sobriety and recovery for court-involved individuals.

The program aims to assist participants in regaining health, finding new friends, repairing damaged family relationships, and meeting their responsibilities to their families, friends, community, the court and themselves.

Circuit Judge Andrew Bailey oversees the drug court program. Judge Bailey says, “I am very excited about what this grant means for our program. We will now be able to provide local, specialized mental health treatment to all our participants from their first day in the program until they graduate.” Judge Bailey says, “Among many other opportunities the funds will provide, the grant will also help our treatment team stay current on all issues pertaining to drug court through comprehensive training programs.”

The program has been in existence in the 14th Judicial District, covering Baxter, Boone, Marion and Newton counties, since 2004.

The 14th Judicial District Drug Court program operates in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections offices in Mountain Home and Harrison.

(From KTLO)