Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts Celebrates Growth and Leadership at Annual Meeting Reception

CONCORD, NH – The Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts held its annual meeting reception on May 21 at the Common Man in Concord, marking the organization's 10th year as a statewide nonprofit supporting individuals in recovery participating in the state's treatment court system. The gathering celebrated new leadership while honoring the contributions of departing board members who helped shape the organization's strategic direction.

This year's event was made possible thanks in part to the generous support of Wanderlust Therapeutic Services.

President Tony Naro welcomed three new board members to the organization, including Mark Bodanza, Priscilla Matos, and Randall Francis. Matos and Francis are the first two drug court graduates to join the board since 2018. Their addition represents a powerful commitment to incorporating lived experience into the organization's leadership structure.

The evening also recognized three departing board members: Rick St. Hilaire, Dr. Tom Andrew, and past-president Ovide Lamontagne. Naro delivered special remarks honoring Lamontagne's transformative leadership during his tenure.

"Ovide joined the Board in May 2019, and immediately stepped into leadership—first as Vice President, and then as President, succeeding Nancy Russell in 2020," Naro noted. "From the beginning, Ovide saw the Friends not just as it was, but as it could be. Under his leadership, we began to think bigger, act more strategically, and expand our reach."

Lamontagne's contributions included growing the organization's financial assistance program, establishing firm organizational policies, and laying the groundwork for an incentive program planned for future implementation. His strategic recruitment of new board members with deep philanthropic commitment has strengthened the organization's foundation for continued growth.

The reception featured a proclamation from Governor Kelly Ayotte, read by President Naro, recognizing the organization's vital work in supporting New Hampshire's treatment court system.

The reception featured a proclamation from Governor Kelly Ayotte, read by President Naro, recognizing the organization's vital work in supporting New Hampshire's treatment court system.

New board member Priscilla Matos, who works in peer recovery at Revive Recovery, shared three inspiring stories from drug court graduates who have overcome significant challenges and are now thriving in their recovery journeys. One particularly moving account highlighted a participant who spent many years struggling with self-doubt and substance use:

"The participant spent many years struggling with self-doubt and substance use. Though she had dreams and aspirations, she never believed she could achieve them," Matos shared.

 Matos noted how everything changed when the participant received a scholarship to Nashua Community College. "That opportunity became a turning point. She completed her education to become a licensed massage therapist and fully embraced a holistic approach to recovery. Along the way, she met her now-husband and began rebuilding her life and her family."

Since graduating, the participant has opened her own massage therapy practice, purchased her first home, and welcomed more children into her life. "Reflecting on her journey, she once said: 'Treatment court gave me the canvas—and allowed me to paint the picture,'" Matos noted. "Her story is a powerful example of what's possible when courage is met with compassion, structure, and support. She not only changed her life—she built the life she once thought was out of reach."

Chief Justice Mark Howard of the Superior Courts delivered keynote remarks focusing on the remarkable expansion of treatment courts throughout New Hampshire over the past decade.

“We have about 920 graduates from drug courts now,” said Howard. “We’re going to make our way to 1,000 hopefully this year.”

During his ten years on the Superior Court, Howard has served as a full-time judge in the Drug Treatment Court in Strafford County. Before his judicial appointment by then-Governor Maggie Hassan in 2015, Howard spent 36 years as a lawyer in New Hampshire, including time at the U.S. Attorney's Office focusing on violent crime and narcotics prosecution.

In his closing remarks, Naro emphasized: "Tonight, you've heard stories of service and progress. You've met the faces behind the mission. Let's carry this momentum forward. Let's continue to stand beside those who fight every day to rebuild their lives."

He concluded by thanking attendees "for being here, for believing in second chances, and for being part of this mission."

The Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts continues to provide financial support to the participants in the state's treatment court system, offering financial assistance for critical needs like housing, transportation, health care and dental services, and education.

In 2024, the Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts distributed over $141,000 to help treatment court participants overcome these critical barriers in their recovery journey.