NFL Vet Vance Johnson Will Address NJ Drug Court Graduates

    TRENTON, NJ, April 07, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mercer County's 2016 Drug Court Graduation will feature former NFL player and three-time Super Bowl participant, Vance Johnson, as the keynote speaker. Vance will address the graduates who successfully completed the program on Friday, May 13, at 11:00 AM in the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse.

Not only is Vance a former professional athlete and Denver Broncos wide receiver, but he also struggled with alcoholism for several years before receiving addiction treatment at Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches in South Florida. Now sober for over two years, Vance's mission as a sober coach and member of the Pro Recovery Team is to help individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction find their paths to recovery. He has already helped dozens of men and women excel during and after addiction treatment.

Vance's keynote address will commend the graduates for a job well done, remind them of where they came from and provide hope for their futures.

Drug courts involve a collaborative relationship between drug treatment professionals and criminal justice agents. To graduate, participants must meet their obligations to the court, their families and society. To ensure accountability, participants must submit to frequent and random drug testing and appear in court to review their progress. There are currently 194 participants in Mercer County's drug court program.

Conditions for Drug Court Graduation

- At least 1 year in phase 4 with a minimum one year of clean time.
- Maintain a sponsor and home group and demonstrate a sober network.
- Maintain consistent fine payment with no arrears owed and a maintained budget.
- No outstanding/pending municipal/child support court matters.
- Maintain continuous employment and/or higher educational or vocational training.
- If GED has not been passed you must have an evaluation from DVR explaining why you have not been able to pass your GED exam.
- Submitted the request for graduation - written assignment.
- Appear in court at least 1x per month.
- Subject to random drug testing.
- Maintain a relapse prevention plan with your treatment provider.
- Be able to discuss the 12 Steps of NA/AA.
- Be interviewed by the Drug Court team for final approval.

Drug courts throughout the nation have been successful in reducing drug abuse, addiction and the associated crimes in a large majority of their participants. Vance is proud to lend support and encouragement to drug court program graduates.

Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches is one of the nation's leading behavioral health care organizations. Located in South Florida, we are composed of a group of addiction treatment and mental health facilities. Each one of our locations offers expert treatment, support, advocacy and assistance to patients suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness. We specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, and develop our cutting-edge treatment programs using evidence-based best practices.

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