New Hampshire Receives Federal Grant for Nashua Drug Court
CONCORD – September 10, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire Department of Health of Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Nick Toumpas, and New Hampshire Superior Court Chief Justice Tina L. Nadeau today announced that DHHS received a federal grant totaling $974,991 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] for Hillsborough County Southern District Adult Drug Court in Nashua.
Only existing drug courts were eligible for SAMHSA’s Treatment Drug Courts enhancement grant, which will be awarded to the State of New Hampshire from 2015 to 2017 for $324,997 per year. The grant funds will help the Hillsborough County Drug Court (HCDC) increase treatment access to the target population as well as provide services to a larger number of clients. The program currently has the capacity to serve 40 individuals, and this funding will support the expansion of the drug court treatment and case management staff so that a broader array of services may be offered to the participants. With this funding, HCDC will be able to initially expand services to 45, and ultimately 50, participants per year.
“The heroin, opioid and substance abuse crisis is the most pressing public health and safety challenge facing our state, and we must work every day to combat this crisis with a multi-pronged approach of prevention, treatment and recovery,” Governor Hassan said. “Drug courts are a critical component of that multi-pronged approach, proving effective across the state in assisting those within our justice system with access to treatment and recovery. I applaud the Department of Health and Human Services and the Superior Court for their efforts to secure this grant, and I will continue working with stakeholders at all levels to expand drug courts across the state.”
“The SAMHSA grant is the result of a collaboration between two branches of our State government – DHHS and the Superior Court – to meet a critical need in the State,” said DHHS Commissioner Nick Toumpas. “DHHS is pleased to work with Judge Nadeau on the drug court in Southern Hillsborough County to provide effective justice intervention for many who need treatment for drug addiction.”
“This SAMHSA grant is very timely because we are marking the one-year anniversary of the establishment of a new Drug Court at Hillsborough South in Nashua,” said Judge Nadeau. “These specialized recovery courts are an option that enable us to address our current addiction crisis and make New Hampshire a safer place. Instead of sending addicts to jail or prison, drug courts have a successful record of reducing crime, saving money and returning people to the community as contributing members of society through the use of intensive treatment and community supervision. The court is thankful for this three-year grant which will enhance the judiciary’s ability to appropriately address criminal behavior that is related to addiction and mental illness.”
Included as part of the initial comprehensive recommendations made by her Senior Director of Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health, Jack Wozmak, aimed at strengthening the state’s efforts to combat the opioid and substance misuse crisis, Governor Hassan has fought to expand drug courts in New Hampshire, including providing state funds to bring a drug court to Manchester in her fiscally responsible, compromise budget proposal.
Currently, New Hampshire has six drug courts. Five are in county courts: Strafford, Rockingham, Grafton, Cheshire and Hillsborough South. One is located in Laconia District Court.
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