Building a Collaboration for Support: Creating a Strong Recovery Network for Adult Drug Court Participants in a Rural Setting

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals identifies a key component to drug courts as: “Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court program effectiveness.” Since its inception in June 2013, the Cheshire County Adult Drug Court (CCDC) in Keene, NH has been drawing upon the strength and collaboration of its multi-disciplinary team members representing professionals from local government, corrections, treatment, and other services. CCDC aims to support the recovery of NH felons post- incarceration. Through the initial six months of this project, Southwest Community Services (SCS) has proven an essential partner in facilitating early success for participants.

SCS provides transitional housing to 6 of the 8 CCDC participants, as well as case management, and life skills, tenancy, and financial management classes. The participants residing at SCS often coordinate transportation for treatment, trainings, community service, and work responsibilities. This closeness, fortified by the participants’ living, treatment, and work environments appears to be creating a strong recovery network, as evidenced by the unprecedented lack of relapse by any participant residing at SCS, despite opportunities and circumstances that could have resulted in relapse.

As of January 2014, CCDC participants residing at SCS have completed 440 random urinalyses, 100% of which have been clean. By contrast, one of the two participants residing in the community relapsed. JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. is evaluating the treatment and cost-effectiveness of CCDC which will include an examination of SCS residents’ outcomes compared to non-SCS residents’.