Shaheen Honors Hillsborough County South Adult Drug Court Participants During Graduation Ceremony

(Nashua, NH) - Earlier today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) delivered remarks at the Hillsborough County South Adult Drug Court Graduation Ceremony.  Shaheen honored the 11 graduates who completed the program. She was joined by numerous local leaders and officials at the ceremony, including Mayor Jim Donchess, Chief Justice Tina Nadeau, Justice Jacalyn Colburn and representatives from the New England Association of Recovery Court Professionals and the Drug Court Steering Committee. Established in 2014, the Hillsborough County South Drug Court is a multidisciplinary effort between the criminal justice system, local police departments and Greater Nashua Mental Health. The program provides intensive treatment and community-based supervision to justice-involved individuals with severe substance use disorder at high risk to engage in repeat criminal activity. The goal of the program is to reduce recidivism and promote long-term recovery from substance use disorder.  
 
“The substance use disorder crisis isn’t just a crisis – it’s a public health emergency,” said Senator Shaheen. “This epidemic was exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19, which forced many Granite Staters who were already vulnerable and struggling to confront feelings of fear and isolation. However, today we see how our communities have turned a corner through the remarkable progress reflected in the success of today’s graduates. Their achievements reaffirm the importance of treatment-based methods like drug courts and serves as a reminder that we cannot jail our way out of this crisis.  Drug courts like the one here in Nashua are saving lives by focusing on treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. I’m optimistic that this approach will help end the substance use disorder crisis and move our communities toward a brighter, safer and healthier future for New Hampshire families.” 

As the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which supports numerous anti-opioid efforts, Senator Shaheen has fought to deliver resources to combat the substance use disorder crisis in New Hampshire. As a policymaker, Senator Shaheen has long supported investments in drug courts as an investment in long-term recovery for Granite Staters struggling with substance use disorder. 

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