PORTLAND — A new four-year grant will establish Adult Drug Treatment Courts in Oxford and Franklin counties, the Maine Judicial Branch announced Friday.
A second four-year grant will also bring that court to Lincoln, Knox, Waldo and Sagadahoc counties.
The grant will pay for treatment, case management, random drug testing, peer mentoring and other related services for high-risk individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes, according to a news release.
The two grants from the U.S. Department of Justice total $1.1 million.
A recent study of Maine’s existing Adult Drug Treatment Courts found the courts reduced recidivism rates by more than half, according to the release.
Working on the planning stages are: District Attorneys Andrew Robinson, who covers Oxford and Franklin counties, and Natasha Irving, who covers Lincoln, Knox, Waldo and Sagadahoc counties; trained criminal defense counsel; Judicial Branch Coordinator of Specialty Dockets Richard Gordon; Elizabeth Simoni from Maine Pretrial Services; and District Court Judges John Martin and Tammy Ham-Thompson.
The goal is to launch the courts in March.
Adult Drug Treatment Courts were established in Maine in 2001. The new funding will bring the courts to 15 of Maine’s 16 counties.
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