The District Court of Maryland has introduced the Adult Opiate Recovery Court in Harford County, aiming to offer an alternative to incarceration for those facing opioid-related charges. This program is the first special docket in Maryland specifically targeting opioid dependency and seeks to provide participants with supervision and necessary services for recovery.
Mary Ellen Barbera, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, emphasized the program's role in addressing local needs: “This innovative program is part of the Judiciary’s ongoing commitment to serving communities and addressing unique local needs. By bringing together community service providers and working with our justice partners, we are collaborating to address a growing health crisis by giving people an opportunity to reclaim their lives. In doing so, we are helping to strengthen families and communities in Maryland.”
Participants must be diagnosed with opioid dependency after an assessment by a licensed facility. John P. Morrissey, Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, highlighted the importance of understanding addiction: “Placing someone in jail can separate them from the drug for a period of time, but to avoid recidivism we need to bring justice partners together and understand the multiple ways we need to address a person’s addiction.”
The court-managed program includes medication and counseling over four phases lasting 12 months, followed by a 24-month aftercare plan. It currently accommodates up to 40 participants.
Susan H. Hazlett, Administrative Judge for Harford County District Court, noted the potential impact on participants' lives: “By entering the Adult Opiate Recovery Court, people have a chance to get the help they need and change the direction of their lives."
Harford County reported 290 suspected heroin overdoses with 56 fatalities in 2016—a significant increase from previous years.
Judge David E. Carey leads this initiative as presiding judge. He commented on its comprehensive approach: “The court’s management of this special docket allows for a comprehensive medically guided process to fight addiction on a case-by-case basis over the long term."
The opiate recovery court is part of Maryland's network of problem-solving courts designed to tackle underlying issues such as addiction or mental illness through judicial oversight combined with treatment services.