Riley County’s recovery court, aimed at helping people overcome drug addiction, has proven successful, as shared by participants like Henry “Hank” Crowder. Crowder, who’s been sober for 2.5 years, graduated from the program in September 2023 and credited it for giving him tools to rebuild his life. Established in February 2022, the recovery court has had 51 participants, with 23 currently enrolled from Riley and Clay counties.

The program emphasizes accountability through law enforcement checks, court appearances, and therapy provided by Pawnee Mental Health Services. According to county corrections supervisor Brett Clark, weekly meetings involving judges, attorneys, treatment providers, and probation officers evaluate each participant’s progress.

Crowder, sentenced in April 2022, now works part-time at a community center and serves as a peer mentor, running Narcotics Anonymous meetings twice a week. The next graduation is scheduled for January, with Clark praising the program’s impact on participants and the community.