Portsmouth Community Wellness Court graduates first class

Excerpt:

PORTSMOUTH — It's rare to hear applause in Portsmouth District Court, but on Tuesday plenty of clapping could be heard as the first group of individuals graduated from a new program aimed at treating those with mental health challenges rather than fining them or sending them to jail.

Five individuals who successfully navigated the stringent requirements of "Community Wellness Court" were praised by Portsmouth District Judge Sawako Gardner after a year of meetings with the judge and countless sessions with counselors.

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