Fayette County's DUI/Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court have secured a $35,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety — money that will pay for a structured, monthly drug testing program designed to catch problems early and keep participants on a path away from the criminal justice system.
The grant covers October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, according to Fayette County's official announcement. Under the program, testing results won't simply be logged and filed — they'll be folded into each participant's individualized recovery plan, triggering referrals for additional counseling, treatment, or other support services when needed.
Part of the GOHS mission is to assist in the implementation of programs and campaigns designed to prevent crashes and eliminate traffic deaths on our roads. GOHS will continue to develop new partnerships and continue existing ones in order to create, refine, and implement safety programs designed to help our state and nation reach our goal of zero traffic deaths.— Allen Poole, Director, Governor's Office of Highway Safety
The connection between a highway safety agency and a local drug court is a direct one: impaired driving is among the behaviors GOHS is charged with reducing, and accountability courts that monitor and support people with substance use disorders are a documented tool for doing that.
Both courts operate under State Court Judge Jason B. Thompson, who launched the DUI/Drug Court on January 1, 2016. Now in its ninth year, the program has built a track record that officials point to when making the case for continued investment.
DUI/Drug Courts save lives, families, jobs, and dollars.— Judge Jason B. Thompson, State Court Judge
Since 2016, the Fayette County Accountability Courts have graduated 118 individuals, with 5 more anticipated to complete the program by the end of 2026, according to the county. The program currently has 22 participants enrolled. Officials say the courts have saved Fayette County taxpayers more than half a million dollars to date — a figure that reflects the cost difference between incarceration and court-supervised recovery.
Recovery is possible. Our programs are dedicated to empowering individuals to reclaim their lives, build resilience, and achieve lasting success. We are committed to demonstrating the transformative power of recovery and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive.— Jourdan Crawford, Fayette Accountability Court Coordinator
For residents or families interested in the program, or for more on GOHS highway safety initiatives, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety can be reached at 404-656-6996 or at gahighwaysafety.org.
Why it matters — The grant extends a program that has kept 22 Fayette County residents in supervised recovery rather than incarceration — and the county says it has already saved taxpayers more than half a million dollars since 2016.
⚠ Not yet confirmed
- fayette-news.net reports 96 graduates since 2016 and 23 current participants, figures that differ from the county's official count of 118 graduates and 22 current participants
Sources differ on Number of program graduates since 2016: 118 graduates (5 more anticipated by end of 2026) (fayettecountyga.gov) vs 96 graduates (fayette-news.net)
Sources differ on Current program enrollment: 22 participants (fayettecountyga.gov) vs 23 participants (fayette-news.net)
Reported by thecitizen.com, fayettecountyga.gov, fayette-news.net
Where this comes from
Written by Papalocal's AI from these outlets' reporting. It can miss or misread things; the outlets are the record.