Newton County Superior Court accepts $100,250 opioid-abatement grant to fund on-site lab and part-time positions

The Newton County Board of Commissioners on May 19 approved acceptance of a $100,250.15 grant from the Georgia Opioid Abatement Trust to support an on-site instant laboratory system and staffing for the county’s accountability courts. Chief Judge Zone presented the award and explained how the equipment and staffing would be used.

Judge Zone said the Thermo Fisher–branded instant lab (leased through the Council of Accountability Court Judges, or CACJ) produces numeric results that are easier to interpret than the current instant cups. “We actually get numbers, so it’s more reliable,” the judge said, adding that a confirmed positive result could still be sent to an external lab when needed.

The grant requires no local match and is intended to underwrite three part-time positions: two lab collectors (to collect and process participant screens) and one part-time lab director (described by the court as a 29-hour-per-week position). The court explained the system could reduce per-test costs over time and allow staff to offer more convenient collection sites, including shared collection with Walton County participants who travel to the Alcovy Judicial Circuit courts.

Court staff said the CACJ has entered a lease agreement for the equipment and that, while this grant is one-time, they plan to apply for CACJ operating funds in future budget cycles if needed to maintain positions. The judge noted the arrangement will allow graders and collectors to travel between Newton and Walton counties and to use a donated county van for mobile collection sites.

The board moved and seconded acceptance of the award and then approved creation of the grant-funded positions; members voted in favor by voice vote. No roll-call tally was provided in the public record.

Next steps: HR will establish the part-time positions so the court may begin recruitment under the grant-funded program.