drug court | New Hampshire Public Radio

Research: Majority of People in Nashua Drug Court Have Suffered Childhood Trauma

By Jason Moon • Jul 31, 2019

New research from the drug court program in Nashua shows a majority of people in the program have suffered from a significant number of childhood traumas.

Studies have previously shown that Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs can predispose people for a whole host of negative outcomes later in life -- from anxiety and depression to cancer and diabetes.

Nashua Drug Court Program Celebrates Four New Graduates

By Sara Willa Ernst • May 17, 2019

Nashua Drug Court held a ceremony on Thursday for four new graduates of its program to help those struggling with addiction. The program aims to reduce recidivism and harsh jail time with the alternative of rigorous drug rehabilitation.

Lobbying All The Way

By Erika Janik • Mar 1, 2019

When you visit the State House in Concord, you might notice some well-dressed people sporting bright orange name tags: lobbyists. What do lobbyists do and how does lobbying work?

Then we’re going inside drug court, a program designed to divert people with substance use disorders from prison.

Merrimack County to Soon Launch a Drug Court Program

By Paige Sutherland • Aug 21, 2017

Officials in Merrimack County are currently screening candidates for its new drug court program, which is set to start up next month.

Manchester Drug Court Opening Delayed

By Emily Corwin • Nov 15, 2016

Tuesday would have marked the first day of Manchester’s new drug court, which gives drug-crime offenders struggling with addiction a chance to get treatment instead of incarceration. But, according to the Union Leader, the opening has been delayed one week, due to a lack of participants.

In June of last year, the city’s commissioners denied funding for the program.

Laconia's 'Drug Court' Focuses on Recovery, Not Punishment

By Paige Sutherland • Jul 13, 2016

Gov. Maggie Hassan has signed into law a bill to put state dollars into new and existing drug court programs across New Hampshire.

But for the past four years, Belknap County has been running its own drug court program without any financial help from the county, state or federal government.

They call it recovery court and it’s under the direction of a judge who has placed compassion at the heart of the program.

Hassan to Sign Drug Court Program Bill Into Law

By Associated Press • Jun 14, 2016

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan is going to sign into law a bill establishing a statewide drug court program.

The program will help those battling addiction access treatment and recovery services.

The bill establishes a statewide drug offender grant program, setting up the drug courts or alternative programs. It also transfers $40 million to the state's Rainy Day fund this year.

The bill signing is scheduled for Tuesday in Manchester.

Statewide Drug Court Expansion Gets Initial Support From Lawmakers

By Casey McDermott • Dec 9, 2015

Courtesy the NH House of Representatives

The idea of expanding drug courts in New Hampshire got an initial stamp of approval from the finance division of the state’s heroin and opioid task force on Tuesday and will now head to the full task force for further approval.

Nonprofit Group Expands To Support New Hampshire Drug Courts

By Associated Press • Nov 10, 2015

A nonprofit group from Grafton County is expanding to support drug courts throughout New Hampshire as the state grapples with a rising heroin and opioid abuse problem.

The Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts, which started in Grafton County, will raise private money to help support the specialized courts that aim to get drug offenders into treatment and keep them out of jail.

Currently there are drug courts in Belknap, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford counties.

Push to Make N.H.'s Drug Court System Statewide

By The Exchange • Nov 3, 2015

Six of New Hampshire’s ten counties have this alternative system, meant to help low-level drug offenders gain treatment and avoid incarceration. Now, proposed legislation would create incentives for the other four counties to set up drug courts. We’ll look at how these work and why they’ve gained such widespread support, and also the questions that routinely come up.

GUESTS:

Manchester Drug Court Could Open This Spring if New Proposal Passes

By Paige Sutherland • Oct 13, 2015

State and city officials, standing alongside first responders, announced legislation Tuesday that would provide state funding for drug courts across New Hampshire.

The bill aims to spend up to $2.5 million on existing and future drug courts over the next two years, with half a million dollars going to a new statewide drug court office.

Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, who is sponsoring the bill, said at a press conference Tuesday that the rest of the cost will have to be picked up by the individual host county, but participation is voluntary.

State Senators To Call For Drug Court Grants

By Brady Carlson • Oct 12, 2015

Two state senators are set to propose a grant program to fund and establish drug courts across New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Getting Nearly $975K Grant For Nashua Drug Court

By Associated Press • Sep 10, 2015

New Hampshire has received a federal grant of nearly $975,000 for a court handling drug-related offenses in Nashua.

Currently, New Hampshire has six drug courts. Five are in county courts: Strafford, Rockingham, Grafton, Cheshire and Hillsborough South. One is in Laconia District Court.

The grant announced Wednesday is from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Funding For Manchester Drug Court Denied

By Paige Sutherland • Jun 23, 2015

Hillsborough County lawmakers have rejected to fund a drug court in Manchester. The 123-member delegation voted 44-39 Tuesday night against a proposal to spend $450,000 of county funds towards implementing a drug court -- 39 delegates were absent during the vote.

Those who voted against the proposal said they support a drug court but just don't want the county to have to pay for it.

Community Leaders Urge Need For Drug Court In Manchester

By Paige Sutherland • Jun 22, 2015

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Dozens of Manchester officials and advocates testified in front of leaders of the Hillsborough County Legislation Delegation Monday morning, urging lawmakers to fund a drug court in the state's largest city.

Expert Says Drug Courts Reduce Crime

By Peter Biello • Apr 17, 2015

Patrick Mansell / flickr Creative Commons

Drug courts in several New Hampshire counties allow some non-violent offenders to avoid jail and treat their addiction. The courts are growing across the state and earlier this week lawmakers heard from a national drug court expert. Dr. Doug Marlowe is the chief of science, law, and policy for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. He spoke with NHPR's Peter Biello.

Grafton County's Half-Full Drug Court Excludes Many Addicted Defendants

By Emily Corwin • Mar 24, 2015

While addiction and related crimes are on the rise in Grafton County, the county’s Drug Court is struggling to fill enough seats. That’s even though clients who get a drug court offer can avoid incarceration, get access to affordable high-level addiction-treatment programs, and often have their conviction vacated after completion.

It's Lonely In Here

Rockingham County Wrestles With Drug Court Funding

By Emily Corwin • Feb 1, 2015

By John Phelan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Drug courts are supposed to save taxpayers money: one year of intense treatment and supervision costs about a third as much as a year behind bars.

But it still requires money, up front.

Now, after squeezing four years out of a federal startup grant, Rockingham County is wrestling over how to fund the program.

Hillsborough County Court Not Awarded Drug Court Grant, Wins HOPE Grant

By Ryan Lessard • Sep 30, 2014

The Bureau of Justice Administration has approved funding for a new drug court in Nashua, but has rejected a grant for the same program in Manchester.

Hillsborough County Superior Court had applied for two three-year, $325,000 grants.

Each would have funded drug courts in the state’s two largest cities, but, earlier this month, only Nashua’s was approved.

Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Ken Brown says while he’s disappointed, the Manchester court did receive funding for a similar program called Project HOPE.

Nashua Drug Court To Receive Federal Grant

By Associated Press • Sep 15, 2014

An unofficial drug court in Nashua is celebrating both its first program graduate and a federal grant that will allow the program to continue.

Drug courts allow nonviolent criminals to avoid jail time and instead get court-ordered treatment, therapy and other help. Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Jacalyn Colburn told the Telegraph that she started an unofficial version last year with funding from the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center, and later applied for a federal grant.

Hillsborough County To Create Drug Court, But Will It Make A Dent?

By Ryan Lessard • Apr 24, 2014

About 80% of the people behind bars in New Hampshire have substance abuse issues. It’s a growing problem and one way the justice system is trying to address the problem is with drug courts—where nonviolent offenders have their sentences suspended if they take part in treatment. Five counties now operate drug courts and efforts are underway to start two more in Manchester and Nashua. The program could help reduce recidivism rates.

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Drug Courts In A State Of Funding Flux

By Ryan Lessard • Apr 24, 2014

It’s important to note, firstly, that the cost of incarcerating someone in state prison is about $32k and in county jails about $35k. Experts say that ideally, drug courts operate on a budget that has a per capita cost of about $8-12k. Any less than that and participants may not be getting enough supervision or critical aid in education, transportation, medication etc. Any more than that and it’s probably time to bring more participants into the program. The challenge many drug courts face is funding.