Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced a grant of up to $1 million from state opioid settlement funds to support the Arkansas Specialty Courts Program. The funds are intended to aid in providing supportive and restorative services for participants in drug courts across the state.
"Specialty Courts play a critical role in Arkansas’s justice system," Griffin stated. "They provide paths for certain offenders, typically those who have struggled with substance abuse, to get treatment and training." He emphasized that this financial support aims to guide individuals towards health and away from recidivism.
Griffin highlighted that the grant will offer Specialty Court Judges funding for essential services like transitional housing, mental health treatment, community mentoring, peer recovery support services, and transportation assistance. "Providing these resources to our Specialty Courts will better equip them and increase the number of lives that are being transformed," he added.
Judge Candice Settle expressed gratitude for the allocation, stating, "Arkansans who are suffering from addiction across the State will benefit greatly from these funds."
Marty Sullivan also acknowledged Griffin's contribution on behalf of over 100 treatment courts operating statewide. "The awarding of this grant is not simply a financial gesture; it is a testament to the shared belief that restorative justice can transform lives," he remarked.
The Arkansas Specialty Courts focus on addressing issues such as substance abuse and mental health conditions through evidence-based interventions. These programs are designed as voluntary multi-phase interventions aimed at improving public safety and reducing recidivism.
Attorney General Griffin has served in various roles before his current position, including Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas and U.S. Representative for Arkansas’s Second Congressional District. His career spans over 28 years in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps.