History of Drug Courts in NH
Strafford County implemented the first drug court in 2004. It began as a pilot
project for 14 months. The county applied for and received a Bureau of Justice
Assistance Grant that allowed for the program’s continuation for 3 years. At the end of
the grant period, having seen the success and savings, the county funded the entire
program. The county's drug court program is now fully funded by the State and has
been certified as operating according to National Standards. Strafford County also
implements a wide continuum of care which greatly enhances outcomes. The House of
Corrections operates a therapeutic community within its facility; there is sober housing
available as well as an in-patient, long term treatment facility. These kinds of programs
contribute to the overall success of the drug court.
Grafton County began its drug court in 2007 with county funding; the county
continues to fully fund the program. Grafton’s operations have community support to
include: an active community board which contributes financial Support to the program
as well as educational, vocational and social support. The Grafton County drug court
team is working with the statewide coordinator to become compliant with National
Standards, and to apply for state funding. A non-profit organization was formed called
“Friends of Grafton County Drug Court” which engages members of the community in
enhancing the services available to the participants. That organization has now been
converted to a statewide non-profit organization, “Friends of New Hampshire Drug
Courts” which provides community support to all drug courts across the state.
In 2011, Rockingham County accepted its first drug court participant after having
received a 3 year implementation grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. In 2015,
the county agreed to fully fund the program. The Rockingham County Drug Court
Program is now funded by the State. Cheshire County followed in 2013 having received
an implementation grant from BJA anda sizeable grant from the Substance Abuse
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These grants will expire in 2017,
making the program eligible for state funding. In 2014, Hillsborough County South
received a 3 year BJA implementation grant, as well as a SAMHSA grant in September
of 2015. The grants will expire in 2017 and Hillsborough South will be eligible for state
funding.
After the legislature passed SB 464, which provided state funding for drug courts,
Hillsborough North opened a drug court with state funding. The program is new, and
began taking participants in November, 2016.
While adult drug courts across the country are generally associated with felony
level courts, there are some exceptions. In January of 2013 a recovery court was
formed by the Laconia Circuit Court under the direction of the presiding judge. This
program has no funding and only takes a minimum number of participants. The program
team, however, attempts to follow the best practices of the drug court mode! despite the
limitations of funding. Once the presiding justice retires in July, 2017, the program will
