Henrico County's Award-Winning Drug Court

"Turning Point: Inside Henrico's Drug Court," produced by Ryan Eubank, captured the prize for the Public/Community Affairs-Program/Special category.

Take a journey inside Henrico's Drug Court, which is reducing crime by assisting non-violent felons who have a history of substance abuse recover from their addictions. This is unscripted reality as told through past and present Drug Court participants, staff, judges, and actual courtroom drama. Turning Point tells the revealing story of addiction, recovery, and hope. To view the program, log on to http://www.co.henrico.va.us/pr/viewprograms.htm .

More Awards

On April 28, 2008, Judge Catherine C. Hammond and Judge Gary A. Hicks were awarded the Bronze Key Award from the National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (NCADD) at the McShin Foundation 4th Annual Spring Awards Banquet. They were chosen for the award as recognition for their dedication, sincerity and determination that has been exhibited in facilitating the Henrico Drug Court.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) presented the Henrico Drug Court's "Healthy Lifestyles Initiative" with an Achievement Award at the annual conference held July 11-15, 2008 in Kansas City Mo. "Healthy Lifestyles Initiative" began in November 2006 to improve the health of individual participants in Henrico County Drug Court (HCDC), and thereby improve community health. The project goal is to build access to health-care into existing HCDC program requirements. HCDC participants' overall health and family relationships have suffered from long-term drug addiction. This deterioration can sabotage otherwise successful strides in substance abuse treatment. "Healthy Lifestyles" provides access to a primary care physician, on-site health screening and education sessions once a month, assistance with dental care, transportation to appointments, and assistance with co-payments for medical care and prescriptions. The project also includes family involvement, through mandatory events focused on rebuilding healthy relationships between participants and family members.