HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — For many people struggling with addiction, the path through the justice system can feel like a revolving door, cycling in and out of jail with little opportunity for lasting change. A program in Henderson County is working to break that cycle.
The Adult Recovery Court offers people facing criminal charges a chance to seek treatment instead of serving time behind bars. The program focuses on addressing the root causes that often lead people into the justice system, like substance abuse and mental health challenges.
For Allison Ervin, the program was life-changing.
Ervin battled with substance abuse for 15 years; her addiction landed her in jail for six months, and she was facing up to 12 years in prison. That’s when she was introduced to Adult Recovery Court, an alternative that offered support and treatment instead of incarceration.
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Through the program, Ervin said she received the help she needed to rebuild her life. Now, she has been sober for two years and has a stronger relationship with her daughter. She’s also giving back to others in her community.
Ervin recently became the program’s newest graduate.
“I do home health care. I work with veterans. It’s also nice to give back,” Ervin said. “I know that even though I’m out of the program, Daniel is just a phone call away.”
Participants in Adult Recovery Court go through five phases while working closely with a team that includes probation officers, law enforcement, treatment providers and court officials. Those in the program also attend court hearings twice a month to track their progress.
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Daniel Conway, the program’s coordinator, understands the struggle firsthand. A Marine Corps veteran, Conway said he became addicted to pain medication after an injury.
“It led to homelessness, and I was isolated from my community, but I was able to get into Buncombe County’s veteran treatment court program, which saved my life,” Conway said.
Now, Conway helps others facing the same challenges he once did. So far, three people have graduated from the Henderson County program, including Shanna Lively.
Lively said she was facing significant prison time and risked losing her children before entering the program. She said addiction runs in her family, and Adult Recovery Court helped change the direction of her life.
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“This has not only affected my life in a positive way but also a lot of my family’s life, who were going down the same path,” Lively said. “It gives me hope that my kids will not go down the same path. That was my main goal, making sure I’m an example for them.”
Lively is now married with three children and is working toward becoming a peer support specialist.
Conway said programs like Adult Recovery Court are critical to reducing repeat offenses.
“A lot of times we’ve seen that incarceration doesn’t work; they repeat and go back,” Conway said. “Getting support, reconnecting to the community and being given resources can keep people from returning to criminal behavior.”
The Henderson County program is also gaining attention across North Carolina. Conway said the team now travels to provide training and presentations to other courts interested in implementing similar recovery-focused programs.
