Bucks drug court gets Supreme Court accreditation

Mar 6, 2020 at 12:06 AM

Bucks County is now the 30th county in the state to receive Supreme Court accreditation for its drug court program.

Bucks County’s drug treatment court is now among a small group of other state treatment courts recognized for its good practices.

After a long evaluation process, the county publicly received its accreditation Thursday at the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown Borough.

“We’re so grateful that it’s over,” Senior Judge Rea Boylan said. “It means a great deal to us.”

While the court received accreditation Thursday by the State Supreme Court, it had already gone into effect in September.

Bucks County Drug Court, created in 2010, aims to help non-violent drug offenders overcome substance abuse problems.

“They overcome significant challenges and significant odds, to not only heal themselves, but to heal others,” Judge Gary Gilman said.

The accreditation, which the Supreme Court started doing in 2011, means that Bucks County’s drug court is following best practices nationwide.

Boylan told a full courtroom during the accreditation ceremony that the drug court will also receive suggestions on best practices from the Supreme Court.

Bucks is the 30th county in Pennsylvania to receive such accreditation.

Commissioner Chairwoman Diane Ellis-Marseglia said she was first presented the idea of drug court years ago.

“I just thought it was the best thing I’ve ever heard,” she said.

The accreditation, she said, means the hard work has paid off.

“We know that this is not just a good idea, a noble idea ― this is an idea that saves lives,” she said.

During the ceremony Thursday, two previous drug court graduates praised their experiences, saying that the program turned their lives around.

Supreme Court Justice Kevin Daugherty, who presented the accreditation, read off 10 requirements that must be met to receive the accreditation, but Daugherty had different thoughts on the process.

“I define the criteria as this group of people working together, getting things done,” he said. “As was just testified by our two graduates.”

He noted that what the county has done shows that people believe in rehabilitation and Bucks County’s success.

“Congratulations Bucks County,” he said.

More than 400 people have been admitted into the program since its inception nearly 10 years ago, according to the county.