ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS DELIVERS FUNDING AWARD TO DRUG COURTS IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT AND DELIVERS NALOXONE KITS

(Ash Flat, Arkansas) – Administrative Office of the Courts officials presented a $65,067 award to the
Adult Drug Courts in the Third Judicial Circuit on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Jackson County Adult Drug
Court received $16,615. Lawrence County Adult Drug Court received $21,838. Randolph County Adult
Drug Court received $16,392. Sharp County Adult Drug Court received $10,222. The AOC officials also
delivered a supply of Naloxone so that every courtroom in the Third Circuit has the life-saving medication
on hand. Third Judicial District Judges Michelle Huff and Rob Ratton accepted the funds.
“These funds will better equip the Third Circuit Adult Drug Courts with the resources it needs to address
the ongoing opioid epidemic within the community,” Chief Justice Kemp said in announcing the award.
“As a former drug court judge and as chair of the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee, I
understand that the state’s drug courts, and other specialty courts, play a critical role in addressing the
cruel impact the opioid crisis is having in our communities.”
The funds are part of a $1 million award to the Administrative Office of the Courts by the Arkansas
Attorney General’s Office and must be used to provide restorative services for drug court participants,
including transitional and chemical-free housing, substance abuse and mental health services, peer support
recovery services, childcare assistance, and educational services and programming.
Marty Sullivan, Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, also delivered Naloxone kits to equip
each courtroom at the courthouse with a supply of Naloxone. The Naloxone medication helps overdose
victims survive by blocking and reversing the effects of opioid drugs on a person’s body. Funding for the
Naloxone kits was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Given their close work with those suffering from opioid addiction, it is important that our courts and
court personnel have a readily available supply of Naloxone on hand,” Sullivan said.
According to data from the Arkansas Department of Health, there were 487 deaths from overdose
statewide in 2022, the most recent full year for which data is available.