CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – A new project within the Chicopee and Holyoke District Courts is connecting people to much-needed mental health and substance disorder resources and treatment.
This is truly a game-changer for many people struggling with addiction, as a new treatment program for court workers in Chicopee District Court and Holyoke District Court officially launched Wednesday afternoon.
The court announced in January that it had secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to pilot a drug use treatment and recovery initiative in Chicopee and Holyoke.
The court has partnered with the Gandhara Center to bring recovery coaches to the courtroom, helping to reduce the number of people in prison who really need help with drug problems.
22News spoke to Gandara Center CEO Luis Nesci about the importance of this new collaborative project. court. And it’s really an effort to help individuals stay out of the court system and out of prison. ”
This grant will fund the services of Gandara’s Peer Recovery Coach and Recovery Support Coordinator, who will be on-site daily in both courtrooms, connecting those in the courtroom directly with resources available in the community.
This grant will allow the program to continue running for the next three years. Already, it has helped one person be taken to a detox center without being detained on launch day.
Kaelee Collins is a reporter who has been part of the 22News team since 2022. Follow Kaelee on X @kaelee_collins Check out her bio to see more of her work.
