Recovery Or Jail: 61 Graduate Drug Court Program In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — If you’re looking for proof that there are good alternatives to sending non-violent drug offenders to jail, there will be 61 reasons appearing at the Leroy Smith Public Safety Building in Newark later this month.

The Essex Vicinage announced Monday that it will hold a graduation and commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 to recognize the efforts of 61 men and women who have “maintained recovery” from substance abuse as part of the judiciary’s drug court program.

The program – which currently has more than 500 participants - 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 Essex 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

Judge Ramona Santiago, Drug Court judge, will preside over the event. "Teresa P.," a former drug court graduate and active alumni, will serve as the keynote speaker. Brent Bowman, senior probation officer, will also address those in attendance. Essex Senior Probation Officer Noemi Quinones will lead the singing of the national anthem.

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

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