Recovery advocates urge Hampton to expand peer-run residences; city manager says drug court ended amid low participation

Several speakers during public comment called on the city to support recovery community organizations (RCOs) and recovery residences in Hampton, saying the model had helped them in other localities.

Marlon Bacote, identified himself as a PhD candidate in psychology and a registered peer recovery specialist, said he benefitted from licensed recovery residences and noted the distribution of such homes in Virginia: "There are 33 in the state. There are 17 in Richmond. I live in 1 of those homes and I'm this is the longest clean time I've had since my mother passed in 2020." Bacote said there are none in Hampton or Newport News and urged the council to meet with owners of recovery residences about bringing services to the city. Other speakers, including Julia Landingham and Jeffrey Gonzales, described personal recovery experiences and urged council to support housing and programs that provide peer support and structured recovery services.

City Manager Bunting responded during the post-comment staff remarks. He said the city regularly works with the Community Services Board (CSB) and other partners and offered to connect speakers with staff who manage human services. On the subject of Hampton Drug Court, Bunting said the court was disbanded after participation dropped: "It is true and it is regrettable. I agree with you that we no longer have a... a drug court." He said the decline in referrals from the public defender's office and changes in state laws that provided defendants other options contributed to the closure, and noted the city now uses a broader behavioral health court docket for some cases.

Speakers asked the council to consider recovery residences licensed through the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VAR) and to coordinate with community providers to replicate models speakers said were successful in Richmond. The city manager offered to connect interested parties with the assistant city manager who oversees human services and public safety to explore options.

Ending: Advocates asked the council to pursue recovery housing and court options; city staff said the city would facilitate introductions to the Community Services Board and other internal staff to review possibilities.