The 8th Judicial District, which includes Greene, Lenoir and Wayne Counties, has been awarded a $700,000.00 grant by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance to operate an Adult Accountability and Recovery Court (AARC).  This Court will serve persons with a substance use disorder who have related criminal charges. Participants will be given the opportunity to participate in treatment and supportive recovery services as opposed to being incarcerated.  

From 2020 to 2022, over 28,000 North Carolinians lost their lives to drug overdose. The National Association of Drug Court Professionals has documented that recovery courts have been proven to save lives, reunite families, save money and reduce crime. Communities with a recovery court see an average of a 58% reduction in recidivism and an average savings to the community of $6,000 per participant.  

“Recovery courts have the unique opportunity to unite the accountability aspect of the justice system, treatment and community resources. Individuals with substance use disorder are more likely to sustain recovery when their legal issues have been addressed, they have engaged in treatment and they have built recovery capital, including such things as housing, employment, transportation and education,” said Chief District Court Judge Beth Heath. 

Recovery courts are not new to the 8th Judicial District.  The district has administered a successful Family Accountability and Recovery Court (FARC) for the past 17 years. FARC was established to serve families involved with child protective services because of substance use disorders. The 8th Judicial District FARC has received national recognition as a rural innovative site by the National Rural Justice Collaborative. 

In 2021, Wayne County received a legislative grant to begin the process of establishing a new adult recovery court. The legislative funds have allowed an AARC team to prepare for establishing the court by participating in a yearlong training program through the National Drug Court Institute and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. 

The BJA grant will support the operation of the AARC and allow it to expand district wide to all three counties.

AARC will begin accepting referrals on December 1, 2022. For more information on eligibility or becoming a part of AARC, call 919-722-6251.