Overall Category for substance use disorder issues.

accountability courts

Leadership and Innovation in Georgia’s Accountability Courts

In this episode, Judge Lawton Stephens shares his three-decade journey on the bench, offering insights into Georgia’s evolving accountability courts. From launching drug courts to chairing statewide judicial conferences, Judge Stephens discusses the future of treatment courts and the vital role of compassion and structure in criminal justice reform.
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MOUD Access

Bridging the Gap: MOUD Access for People on Probation

People on probation with opioid use disorder face major barriers to accessing medications for treatment. Stigma, policy gaps, and a lack of coordination between justice and healthcare systems make recovery difficult. This blog explores actionable steps to ensure probation becomes a bridge to care—not a barrier.
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Treatment Courts for OUD

How Treatment Courts Can Transform OUD Recovery

The opioid crisis has had a profound impact on the criminal justice system, with many individuals struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) coming into frequent contact with police, courts, and jails. Despite the well-documented effectiveness of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), treatment gaps persist within the justice system. A recent study of high-overdose county
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Opioid Use Disorder

Dr. William Morrone on Opioid Use Disorder and Medication-Assisted Treatment

Dr. William Morrone shares insights on treating Opioid Use Disorder, the role of Medication-Assisted Treatment, and bridging law and medicine in justice reform.
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ADA Lawsuits and MOUD in Treatment Courts

ADA Lawsuits and MOUD: Ensuring Compliance in Treatment Courts

Is your Treatment Court at Risk? By Hon. Geno Salomone (Ret.) and Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.) As of this article’s writing, there are still a large number of judges who persist in withholding medications from individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), arguing that it merely replaces one addictive substance with another.[1] Similarly, certain probation or corrections
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supportive housing for recovery

Supportive Housing for Recovery: A Key to Treatment Court Success

By Judge Brian MacKenzie (Ret.) and Judge Harvey Hoffman (Ret.) Introduction Prescription opiate and heroin abuse has reached epidemic proportions.  Increasing numbers of individuals with prescription opiate and heroin use disorders are finding their way into the Criminal Justice System. Specialty Courts have proven themselves to be an effective response in addressing substance use disorders of
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alcohol use disorders in the workplace

Alcohol Use Disorders in the Workplace: A Business Risk

Alcohol use disorders in the workplace are more common than many employers realize. With high risks to safety, productivity, and liability, this blog explores how alcohol abuse impacts businesses and outlines five practical steps employers can take to create a drug-free and safer work environment.
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Judge Tom Jarrell overdose

The Tragic Overdose of Judge Tom Jarrell: A Story of Opioid Stigma

Chief District Court Judge Tom Jarrell (Guilford County, NC) died suddenly last August in his bedroom.  His colleagues were stunned at his sudden passing at age 56.  They went from stunned to shocked when his autopsy results were revealed last week showing his cause of death as an accidental overdose of fentanyl and heroin.  One
Addiction as a brain disease

Understanding Addiction: The Brain Disease Behind Substance Use

In 2016, the United States Surgeon General issued the report: Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.  In the report, he defined “addiction” as: The most severe form of substance use disorder, associated with compulsive or uncontrolled use of one or more substances. Addiction is a chronic brain disease
person-first language

Embracing Person-First Language in Substance Use Disorders

Everyone uses labels that shape care. DSM-5’s shift to person-first language reframes addiction as Substance Use Disorders, reducing stigma. Studies show “substance abuser” triggers blame, unlike neutral terminology. AP and federal memos endorse person-first. Consciously adopting respectful language can encourage treatment, humanize those affected, and foster equity in care.
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