Oneida County has established opioid intervention court, in an effort to combat the recent overdose spike in the area.

It’s called H.O.P.E Intervention Court, which stands for healing, opportunity, prevention and education.

H.O.P.E. Court will offer screenings, treatment, supervision and other resources to those at risk of a drug overdose who are facing charges.

“The whole premise is to take their criminal case and place it on hold for 90 days, allow the individual to stabilize, get some resources in their life, come back and make the right choice for themselves with a clear mind,” said Tabatha Sellick, resource coordinator for Oneida County,

Sellick says some people who are on drugs don’t even remember the first three months of court proceedings.

“It's just to allow the person to become drug free for that first 90 days, let the brain detox from all the substances,” she said.

Rome City Court Judge Gregory Amoroso will be the intervention court judge. He also serves as the Oneida County Drug Treatment Court judge.

For more information on H.O.P.E Intervention Court, call Sellick at 315-266-4645