On Friday, the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Adult Drug Court was presented a check by officials of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Circuit Judge Andrew Bailey’s courtroom in Harrison was given $28,286 along with a supply of Naloxone for every courtroom, which helps overdose victims survive by blocking and reversing the effect of opioid drugs.
The funds are part of a $1 million award to the AOC by the Arkansas Attorney General’ Office to provide services for drug court participants, including transitional and chemical-free housing, substance abuse and mental health services, peer support recovery services, childcare assistance and educational services and programming.
Chief Justice Kemp says “These funds will better equip the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Adult Drug Court with the resources it needs to address the ongoing opioid epidemic within the community. As a former drug court judge and as a chair of the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee, I understand that the state’s drug courts, and other specialty courts, play a critical role in addressing the cruel impact the opioid crisis is having in our communities.”
According to data from the Arkansas Department of Health, there were 487 deaths from overdose statewide in 2022, which is the most recent full year of data available.
The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Adult Drug Court serves individuals in Baxter, Boone, Marion and Newton counties.
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