The Atlantic Judicial Circuit Drug Court has been certified by the Council of Accountability Court Judges, according to Superior Court Judge D. Jay Stewart.

The certification makes the court eligible for state grants, according to a letter from Jeffrey S. Bagley, chairman of the Standards and Certification Committee of the council.

"…as evidenced by the certification application and supporting documentation submitted, is adhering to the best practices and standards of Georgia and is fully certified through February, 2018," Bagley’s letter said of the local court.

Glenda Harriman, administrator of the court, said with the certification, the drug court received $171,343 from the council for the current fiscal year, "…which will go a long way in supporting our Drug Court Program."

The money provides for treatment cost, community supervision, drug and alcohol testing and testing supplies and assessments, as well as administrative costs.

"By receiving certification, the Atlantic Judicial Circuit Drug Court can provide the opportunity to make a difference in not only the participants’ lives by having the drug court program as an option to fight their addiction to drugs and alcohol, but it saves our communities money by offering the participants plans for their lives and alternatives to incarceration," a news release from the court said.