In honor of Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, we have been highlighting success stories from Model Drug Courts around the state. The following is a story we received out of the Southern Judicial Circuit, written by Heather King and Mark Harrell updated by Jennifer S. Fabbri, Program Director, Southern Judicial Circuit Accountability Courts
Founded in 2013, the Colquitt County Accountability Court (CCAC) was created through the shared vision of the Hon. Frank D. Horkan and Program Director Jennifer S. Fabbri, who recognized the urgent need for an Accountability Court program in the Colquitt County area. The court’s early years focused on establishing a foundation, building a strong team, securing dedicated treatment providers, and learning what it meant to be an accountability court by closely following CACJ standards and best practices. As the program evolved, so did its commitment to deeper recovery and community reintegration.
Developing Peer Leadership: From Apprenticeship to PEER Support
Chief Judge Brian McDaniel, Southern Judicial Circuit.
Under the leadership of the Hon. Brian A. McDaniel, CCAC launched the CCAC Apprenticeship Program on October 12, 2020. This was a mentoring initiative designed to train participants in the final phases of the CCAC program to become skilled recovery advocates. Initially, the role of peers was exploratory, with participants providing basic peer-to-peer support.
On April 29, 2021, CCAC received endorsement from the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse (GCSA) to officially rename the initiative PEERS (People Entering Early Recovery Support) Apprenticeship. Through this program, apprentices received training and hands-on experience, often leading to future employment opportunities not only with the Court but also with community partners. The PEERS Apprenticeship has now evolved into what we refer to as the PEER Support Program (PSP), a circuit-wide collaboration that lays out a direct roadmap for taking program graduates from volunteers to paid Certified Peer Support Specialists, either employed by the Courts or with a local business. Since April of 2021, the Southern Judicial Circuit has trained and/or hired more than seven graduates. Some of these graduates now assist all three adult felony accountability courts in the circuit (Colquitt County Accountability Court, Lowndes County Accountability Court, and Thomas County Accountability Court) while others have gone on to secure employment with community partners.
Our PSP members assist the Courts with wellness calls, support services, and lead recovery meetings, along with providing support to senior staff. All three accountability court teams now proudly refer to these PSP members as ‘Junior Team Members,’ recognizing their essential role in fostering a culture of recovery and accountability.
A Story of Transformation: Mark Harrell
“Recovery works if you work your recovery. But it is also a heart issue; you have to make changes.”
One of CCAC’s proudest success stories is that of Mark Harrell, a graduate who spent over three decades struggling with addiction and criminal behavior. After eight jail sentences, two prison terms, and a stay at RSAT, Mark’s turning point came when he finally became ready to change.
Entering Drug Court in November 2019, Mark quickly became an advocate for himself and his peers, helping to shape new treatment group offerings. His passion for recovery deepened when, in November 2021, he began leading recovery meetings at Life Under the Son, where he was also being discipled. By January 2022, Mark had graduated from CCAC and was hired as our first PEERS contractor. While serving as a junior team member, Mark continued to follow his passion for leading community recovery groups and mentoring.
In 2024, Mark established his own business, A2A (Addicts to Ambassadors), became a Certified Recovery Coach, and married the love of his life. That same year, Mr. Harrell also received the CACJ STAR Peer Award at the Annual Conference, a testament to his dedication and transformation. Mark often says, “Recovery works if you work your recovery. But it is also a heart issue; you have to make changes.”
Today, the man once banned from Colquitt County stands as a respected leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate, proof that lasting recovery is possible with the right support system.
A Model of Success
CCAC’s continued recognition as a Model Court is the result of unwavering dedication from its entire team. The leadership of Judge McDaniel, the hard work of staff, community partnerships, and a steadfast focus on recovery have all contributed to CCAC’s success.
As the CCAC team says: “If you believe in, support, and walk beside a person in addiction, they will change for the better.”
