Recovery Or Jail: 22 Graduate Drug Court Program In Hudson County

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — If you’re looking for proof that there are good alternatives to sending non-violent drug offenders to jail, there will be 22 reasons appearing at the the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City later this month.

The Hudson Vicinage announced that it will hold a graduation and commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 to recognize the efforts of 22 men and women who have “maintained recovery” from substance abuse as part of the judiciary’s drug court program.

The program allows substance-abusing offenders charged with non-violent crimes to enroll in a regimen of treatment, counseling and supervision instead of going to prison. It requires completion of four phases of intensive drug and alcohol treatment and recovery, according to the Hudson Vicinage.

“This level of supervision permits the program to support the recovery process, but also allows supervisors to react quickly to impose appropriate therapeutic sanctions or to reinstate criminal proceedings when participants do not comply,” court administrators stated.

Drug court participants are expected to comply with all treatment recommendations, gain employment, obtain a GED and demonstrate a payment of court fines.

• See related article: The ‘Addiction Industry’: Scientist Says Opioid Treatment Needs To Change
• See related article: New Jersey Marijuana Arrests Are Criminalizing Black Residents, Study Says

Assignment Judge Peter Bariso Jr. will address the graduates, family, friends and supporters. Drug court Judge Edward DeFazio will preside over the ceremony. Judiciary Voices in Unity, a choir comprising judges, attorneys and court staff, will perform musical selections.

Hudson County drug court alumna Judith Davis will be the keynote speaker. Davis graduated the drug court program in December 2016 and currently is the president of the Hudson County alumni group, whose members speak to participants about their recovery experiences.

Several New Jersey political leaders have recently championed the concept of alternatives to jail for nonviolent drug offenders, including U.S. Senator Cory Booker, who introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana on a federal level and has been a vocal advocate for “advancing criminal justice reform.”

• See related article: US Marijuana Legalization Bill Would End 'War On Weed'
• See related article: Don't Make Harsher Jail Punishments For Opioid Addiction, NJ Senator Says

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Shutterstock