Chester County's Drug Treatment Court and Recovery Court have each received a Certification of Achievement from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The certifications recognize both programs for meeting statewide best-practice standards in treatment court operations. The Chester County District Attorney's Office, Chester County Probation, Parole and Pretrial Services, and the Chester County Public Defender's Office announced the news on Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to the Daily Local News.

Drug Treatment Court, established in 1997, was the second treatment court created in Pennsylvania. It has graduated more than 1,670 people. Recovery Court, launched in 2007, has graduated more than 300. Both serve residents from across Chester County, including West Chester and the Goshens.

The programs are voluntary. Participants receive structured court supervision and substance use treatment instead of a traditional sentence.

"These courts demonstrate what can be accomplished when the criminal justice system, treatment providers, and community partners work together to save lives," District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said.

Chester County operates four specialized treatment courts in all: Drug Treatment Court, Recovery Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court. Each follows the All Rise Treatment Court Best Practice Standards, a nationally recognized framework focused on recovery, reducing recidivism and promoting public safety.

Christopher Pawlowski, director of Probation, Parole and Pretrial Services, said the certification reflects the commitment of everyone involved in the programs. He said structured supervision and a collaborative approach give participants the tools they need to recover.

Chief Public Defender Susanna DeWese said her office looks forward to continuing to provide alternatives to incarceration for people struggling with addiction.

The certification arrives as Chester County reports progress on overdose prevention. Jamie Johnson, executive director of the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services, said in an Aug. 18 county announcement that overdose fatalities in the county dropped 20 percent over the preceding four years.

The county has not said how many other Pennsylvania courts hold the same certification or when the designation must be renewed. Residents seeking information about Chester County's treatment court programs can contact the Chester County courts at 610-344-6000.