Essex County Courts To Celebrate 18 People Who Rose Above Addiction – patch.com

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County court system is preparing to give a hearty congratulations to 18 people who have “maintained recovery from drugs and alcohol” after brushes with the justice system.

On Wednesday, the Essex Vicinage will hold a recovery court graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. It can be watched online here.

According to New Jersey court officials, the event in Essex County – the program’s fifth virtual ceremony – will honor 18 participants who have maintained recovery from drugs and alcohol. Read More: NJ ‘Drug Court’ Helps Hundreds Turn Lives Around, Avoid Jail

Gerard “Jersey Jerry” Gilfone, the host of a popular sober podcast, will give the keynote address. Superior Court Judge John Gizzo, the vicinage’s recovery court judge, will preside over the ceremony, which will include stories of graduates who want to “share their experiences of strength and hope,” officials said.

“The day not only acknowledges the graduates’ accomplishments, but also recognizes the beginning of their journey,” court administrators said, adding that families, friends and loved ones will be able to support their graduate virtually. Current recovery court participants will participate virtually.

Court administrators offered some background on the program:

“The judiciary’s recovery court program operates within the Superior Court to address nonviolent drug-addicted offenders. The program requires completion of several phases of intensive drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. This level of supervision permits the program to support the recovery process but also allows the recovery court team to react quickly to impose appropriate therapeutic sanctions or to reinstate criminal proceedings when participants do not comply.”

The vicinage’s recovery court program has more than 305 participants. Recovery court participants are expected to comply with all treatment recommendations, attend support meetings, gain employment, and demonstrate payment of fines, court officials said.