GA Accountability Courts News

Judge John Schwartz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), announced the recent appointment of Carolyn Hardin as the new Director of the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI).  Ms. Hardin succeeds outgoing NDCI Director, West Huddleston, who was recently appointed by the Board as the Chief Executive Officer of NADCP.   “Over the past five years, Carolyn has worked tirelessly and effectively as the Project Director of the Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative and more recently, as the Deputy Director of NDCI,” says Schwartz. 

Before joining NADCP/NDCI, Ms. Hardin gained invaluable experience in the field working as the Program Coordinator and evaluator with the Nashville Drug Court.  In addition, she brings excellent skills, professional insights and strong managerial experience to her new position as a former Program Planner, Residential Program Coordinator and Caseworker.  Ms. Hardin holds a MPA from the University of Akron and a BA from Talladega University.

Ex-TV newsman Savage pleads guilty in drug case

By BY NANCY BADERTSCHER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/31/06 Former Atlanta television personality Warren Savage confessed to being a drug addict today and asked a judge to give him help, not prison time.“Mr. Savage understands he has a problem and wants help. He wants to be treated,” said his attorney, Marc Cunat of Cumming.

Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley of Forsyth County Superior Court ordered the former WSB-TV anchor to undergo at least 18 months of intensive drug treatment.

Savage, 42, pleaded guilty today to possession of cocaine, which could have carried a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors dismissed a more serious charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute as part of the plea arrangement.

The judge said he will not send Savage to prison as long as he completes a treatment program that, at least initially, requires Savage to go to counseling three days a week and court one day a week.

Bagley told Savage he may have to fall back on his five years in the Marines to make it through the “very rule-oriented” drug program.

“Sometimes change is difficult. Sometimes change is painful,” the judge said. “I know you can make it …”

Savage has been in the Forsyth County Jail since investigators arrested him Oct. 4. Authorities charged him with possessing an undisclosed amount of cocaine. At a hearing today, he admitted to having a small amount of cocaine in his pocket when police arrested him.

His arrest in Forsyth County was “part of an ongoing narcotics investigation and occurred outside a business on Craemer Drive in the southern end of the county.

District Attorney Penny Penn said sheriff’s deputies found a larger amount of cocaine in a ball cap in the passenger side of Savage’s car. Savage told the judge he had taken a drug dealer to a business in Forsyth County but had no idea the man intended to buy drugs that night.

Cunat said he expects Savage to be released from jail tonight.

In August, in Gwinnett County, Savage was picked up for possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Cpl. Darren Moloney said Gwinnett police arrested Savage on Aug. 17 after responding to the Best Western Peachtree Corners on a domestic disturbance call. Savage was charged with possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana.

WSB-TV is owned by Cox Enterprises, which also owns Atlanta Journal-Constitution.