Essex County ‘Recovery Court’ Celebrates Victories Over Addiction

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Battling a drug or alcohol addiction isn’t easy. But through hard work and inner fortitude, more than a dozen participants in the Essex County Court system’s “recovery court” program are now on their way to a brighter future.

The Essex Vicinage held its latest recovery court graduation ceremony on Wednesday at the Leroy Smith Building in Newark.

A total of 13 participants who have maintained recovery from drugs and alcohol were honored. All of the graduates completed the program early, court administrators said.

Graduates shared their experiences of strength and hope at the ceremony, with family and friends on hand to cheer them on.

According to the Essex County Vicinage, the recovery court program operates within the Superior Court to address non-violent drug-addicted offenders. The program requires completion of several phases of intensive drug and alcohol treatment and recovery.

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

Recovery court participants are expected to comply with all treatment recommendations, attend support meetings, gain employment, and demonstrate payment of fines.

The vicinage’s recovery court program has more than 205 participants.

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