The Wake County Recovery Court program is a drug treatment court available to adults involved in the criminal justice system because of a substance use disorder. The goals of the program are to:
- Help adults with substance use and mental health disorders become and remain drug free through treatment and recovery;
- Reduce the chances that people will return to the criminal justice system in the future;
- Reduce social and health costs to the community; and
- Increase the safety of the community by reducing the health impact of violence and trauma while encouraging individuals into recovery.
The Program
The Recovery Court program was established in 1996. It consists of structured activities including:
- Probation supervision
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Mental health treatment
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Case management
- Bi-monthly court sessions with the recovery court judge and team
Eligibility
Participants must:
- Be a resident of Wake County
- Have a misdemeanor or felony class F, G, H or I pending charges or conviction
- Have a substance use disorder diagnosis (determined during assessment – alcohol must be a secondary dependence)
- Have pending DWI charges, or conviction referrals will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- Be willing to reside in a sober living environment if court-ordered by the judge
- Be willing to participate in recovery court-approved program for medication-assisted treatment (Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone)
Ineligibility
People are not eligible for the program if they:
- Are known for dealing drugs
- Have convictions for trafficking drugs
- Are taking legally prescribed narcotics or benzodiazepines
- Are a sex offender (prior or current sex offender)
- Have prior convictions for murder
Violent convictions within five years will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and reviewed further by the Assistant District Attorney assigned to the team.
People who have possession of firearms during arrest or while committing a crime will be considered for the program on a case-by-case basis.
Referral Process
Submit a referral form to Kamesha.Falana@wake.gov via email, or fax the form to 919-743-4895. Once the referral is received, a case coordinator completes an initial screening, and all information is forwarded to the recovery court team for review. The process may take up to 30 days. If you have questions about the program, please contact:
Ashley Frazier, Senior Case Manager (Case Coordinator)
919-856-6441
Ashley.Frazier@wake.gov
Kamesha Falana, Health & Human Services Supervisor
919-856-2773
Kamesha.Falana@wake.gov
Participant Responsibilities
One-year minimum commitment, with the following requirements:
- Complete at least 12 months of treatment for substance use disorder
- Report to probation officer and case coordinator as required
- Attend court every other Friday at 9:30 a.m.
- Participate in recovery support meetings (such as AA, NA, All Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, or non-faith-based programs)
- Submit to random and frequent drug testing
- Maintain 6 consecutive months of recovery to complete the program
- Obtain employment or attend an educational/vocational program
Wake County Recovery Court is located in the Wake County Courthouse (4th Floor, Suite 412), 316 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC 27601.