Atlantic Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Jay Stewart announced its drug court as “Model Adult Felony Drug Court” for a three-year term.

Programs identified as “model courts” are those that have met and exceeded adherence to Georgia’s standards as dictated by strong performance on certification and peer review processes.

The goal of Georgia’s Accountability Model Court Program, supported by the Council of Accountability Court Judges, is to recognize the work of accountability courts across the state and identify programs that may serve as mentors for other courts.

The Atlantic Judicial Circuit Drug Court has been in operation since January 2009, and Judge Stewart presides. The drug court has been providing taxpayers savings and services to its participants in Liberty, Long, Tattnall, Bryan, McIntosh and Evans counties. Since 2009, the program has served over 370 participants, providing them with drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services.

The Atlantic Judicial Drug Court has provided 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 is saves the communities money by offering the participant a plan for their life and an alternative to incarceration.

Grant funding received by the court program provides for treatment cost, community supervision, drug and alcohol testing and testing supplies, travel and training and administrative costs.