Burlington County drug court graduation to take place Thursday
Burlington Vicinage will hold its 12th drug court graduation celebration on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. at the Burlington Courts Facility, 49 Rancocas Rd., Mount Holly, in courtroom 7A. The program will honor six graduates for their accomplishments in completing the program.
Superior Court Judge James W. Palmer Jr., who serves as the drug court judge, will address the graduates, family, friends, and supporters. The graduates will give remarks about their journey through the program and speak about the program’s success.
New Jersey’s drug courts have proven effective at breaking the cycle of drug abuse and crime and providing participants who have drug addictions the opportunity to become productive citizens. Since 2004, 52 participants have graduated from the Burlington Vicinage Drug Court. Today, there are 106 active participants in the program.
Drug courts are a highly specialized team process with a judge, prosecutor, defense attorneys, probation staff and treatment providers working collaboratively. Participants appear regularly before a Superior Court judge and are required to meet the goals of drug court by undergoing frequent drug and alcohol testing, obtaining jobs, paying their fines and supporting their families. Drug court targets non-violent offenders with substance abuse issues. The clients are closely supervised by specially trained probation officers.
For more information, contact Michelle Consuegra, drug court coordinator, at 609–518–2559.
