Two Tennessee judges who preside over recovery courts and two state legislators were recently recognized for their work helping people with substance use disorders at the Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals’ 15th Annual Recovery Court Conference in Franklin.
Sumner County General Sessions Court Judge James Hunter and 21st Judicial District Circuit Court Judge James G. Martin III both received TARCP’s 2019 Making a Difference Award at the conference. Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) and Representative Ron Travis (R-Dayton) were given the Rod Bragg Recovery Hero Award. In addition, Ellen Abbott, the Director of Criminal Justice Services for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, was presented with the Christy Vernon Spirit Award.
This year’s awards ceremony was dedicated to longtime recovery court and Coffee County General Sessions and Juvenile Judge Tim Brock, who passed away in November. Judge Brock received TARCP’s Making a Difference Award in 2017.
Judge James Hunter was introduced by Tracye Bryant, the director of the Recovery Court of Sumner County. She praised Judge Hunter for his work ethic and for the compassion he shows toward those in recovery.
“He is very dedicated and committed,” she said. “He loves the participants, and the participants love him. He goes above and beyond on a daily basis. He’s always there to answer their needs, to help them.”
His dedication extends to those on the Recovery Court staff, Bryant said.
“If I walk in the courtroom and I need something he’s willing to stop and say, What do you need?, and that means a lot,” she said.
Accepting the award, Judge Hunter said that the gratification he gets from his work with the Recovery Court stands out in his professional life.
“There is no greater satisfaction than to see a person change their life and become somebody that they knew they could be, but they just didn’t know how to get there,” Judge Hunter said. “All of you are giving people the chance to become the people God made them to be. It’s what has kept me here and what keeps me going. You just don’t get this kind of satisfaction anywhere else.”
Judge Hunter has been on the Sumner County General Sessions bench since 2003. He received his law degree from the Nashville School of Law.
Judge James G. Martin III has presided over the 21st District Recovery Court since 2014. He was introduced by 21st District Recovery Court Director Connie Martin and 21st District Recovery Court Case Manager Taz Farmer.
“You really care about all aspects of each of our people’s lives, and you want to see them succeed, and we really believe that you deserve this award,” Connie Martin said.
Farmer highlighted Judge Martin’s success in moving the program into the future as well as his ability to connect with court participants.
“Under his leadership the 21st recovery program has grown and developed with new strategies being implemented to not only help participants succeed in our program, but, more importantly, to carry that success into their world after recovery court,” Farmer said. “Through regular conversation and interactions, he manages to draw out the best in participants so that they are able to see the best in themselves. Judge Martin has a passion for recovery courts because he has seen the reality of lives saved, families reunited, and communities made better. He is a hero and we applaud him.”
Judge Martin agreed with Judge Hunter’s assessment of the special meaning that recovery courts hold for him.
“I want to join Judge Hunter and say that this job provides enormous satisfaction in a way that nothing else I’ve ever experienced provides,” he said. Noting that he will turn 72 his next birthday, Judge Martin added, “I keep wondering when my shelf life will end. One of the things I regret is the prospect of leaving Recovery Court, the prospect of not being able to serve the people that Connie Martin and all of the staff serves every week.”
Judge Martin said it was really those staff members who deserved the greater part of any recognition.
“For all of you who are responsible for this, I thank you, but these are the folks who deserve the honor,” he said.
Judge Martin was joined on stage by Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Timothy Easter. Judge Easter previously presided over the 21st District Recovery Court and was there to show support for Judge Martin.
Judge Martin was appointed to the 21st Judicial District Circuit Court in 2008. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School.
Senator Ken Yager was recognized for the numerous ways in which he has furthered the fight against substance use disorders in Tennessee. As a legislator, Senator Yager was a key supporter of Governor Bill Haslam’s TN Together initiative and co-sponsored legislation that brought stiffer penalties for the unlawful use and distribution of fentanyl, while at the same time providing for more resources for those struggling with opioid use disorder. He has also been instrumental in legislation cracking down on pill mills. In 2013, he was part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the highly successful Morgan County Residential Recovery Court.
“I can assure you as long as I serve in the Legislature, I will do whatever I can to make sure you have the resources to save many more lives,” Senator Yager told the conference crowd.
Representative Ron Travis was unable to attend the conference. Twelfth Judicial District Drug Court Director Ron Bailey spoke on his behalf.
“I have spoken with him over the years many times regarding different pieces of legislation that would impact our jobs and how we could do better, and every time, and with every issue, he has been not only receptive, but has been very supportive,” Bailey said.
While the judges and legislators awarded at the conference hail from many different parts of the state, they are united in their dedication to improving the lives of those who struggle with addiction. Their mission is the same, and it is one that was clearly and persuasively stated by Judge Brock in a video that played near the beginning of the awards ceremony.
“We’re involved in a program that is the most effective criminal justice program ever created if you talk about reducing recidivism,” Judge Brock said. “There’s nothing else that has worked better. Nothing comes close. Whether you look at it as what’s right, what’s humanitarian, or you look at it as what’s effective, or you look at it as what reduces crime and recidivism, any way you look at it, it makes sense, it’s a no brainer.
“We’re making the community safer. We’re putting families back together. We’re making people productive taxpaying citizens. We’re giving children parents. We’re saving money. It’s cost-effective to do recovery court compared to long-term care in a prison.
“You have to understand that addiction is a disease. The days of moral judgements, we need to put those behind us. We need to deal with this as a chronic disease, which is what it is. We want to do what works. That’s our motto, don’t get mad, do what works.”
