Written by Colleen F. Kosinski, Administrator, 8th Judicial District Adult Accountability and Recovery Court

Substance use disorder is a disease that results in compulsive, harmful, drug seeking behaviors that, though disruptive, are difficult to stop despite the often-dire consequences.  Brain chemistry changes with drug use.  The ability to maintain self-control and resist urges to continue drug use is greatly impacted, and therefore the ability to stop.  However, this failure is not a moral issue.  To hold this belief is stigmatizing and incorrect.

There is a strong correlation between the use of alcohol and drugs and crime.  According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc., drugs and alcohol are involved in approximately 80% of criminal offenses that lead to incarceration.  Such offences include driving while intoxicated, domestic violence, property crimes, drug and paraphernalia possession crimes, and many other offenses.  Over 50% of inmates in jails and prisons nationwide are diagnosed with substance use disorder.  Just in the 8th Judicial District, over 57% of probation violations have a substance use component.  

The good news is that this community can collaboratively combat the substance use issue.  The 8th Judicial District now has an Adult Accountability and Recovery Court (AARC) which is a post-conviction, multi-phase program for adults in the criminal justice system who have pled guilty to a substance driven offense.  AARC’s mission is to save lives and improve community safety by supporting recovery with what is a unique partnership between the justice system, the treatment community and all the community’s other resources. 

  AARC’s implementation has been funded in part by a NC Legislative grant.  The receipt of additional grant funds from the Bureau of Justice Administration will continue support for AARC over the next four years.

AARC requires bi-weekly court appearances and frequent substance use treatment.  Participants submit to at least 2 random drug test per week.  In conjunction with a team of multiple agencies, the AARC offers substance use treatment, psycho-educational programming, vocational resources, educational resources, housing and additional supports to implement participants’ treatment plans.  With AARC’s support, guidance, and supervision, participants are able to maintain successful recovery.  

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals reports that recovery courts are “the single most successful criminal justice intervention for seriously addicted offenders, proven to save lives, save money and reduce crime.”  There is a 58% reduction in recidivism amongst recovery court participants.  Nationally, 1.5 million people per year are served by recovery courts.  North Carolina has 33 Adult Recovery Courts.  The evidence is in, recovery courts work.

AARC is committed to offering services to all citizens needing recovery services as a result of a substance use disorder.  If you or a loved one are struggling with a substance use disorder, have pending felony charges and you would like to learn more about AARC, please call Mary Hall at 919-410-0141.  If you would like to help out with AARC’s program, please call Colleen Kosinski at 919-722-6251.