Judge Don Elledge recognized for work with Drug Court
Judge Donald R. Elledge, retired (center), was presented a service award by the Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals for his devotion to the Anderson County Recovery Court —Drug Court.
Elledge had been the only sitting judge for the Anderson County Recovery Court since its inception in 2007.
Having written the original grant under the Office of Criminal Justice programs, Elledge built his team of professionals, trained for 48 hours in Nashville, and officially opened the doors for his Recovery Court on July 1, 2007.
Now, under the umbrella of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Anderson County Recovery Court continues in his absence since his retirement and newly appointed Judge, Ryan M. Spitzer, continues the legacy of changing lives in the 7th Judicial District.
Being a Criminal and Circuit Court Judge is in itself a full-time job. Adding an additional hybrid court to the mix and finding the time into the nooks and cranny’s of his time schedule, Judge Elledge was honored for his dedication and his service for his Recovery Court. Through his encouragement, and sometimes with the stick in his hands, Elledge inspired and cheered for the many participants that came through his program.
For the ones that made it through the program to graduation he would rally them to continue what they had learned and to continue to move forward with their new found sobriety. For the participants that remain in the program, he would inspire and root for their upcoming success, telling them he was looking forward to attending their graduations. For the participants that didn’t make it to the finish line, it would be with anguish that he would have to send them on to prison.
Even in that light, Judge Elledge would report for court the next day, put his robe on and commence to motivate his team and participants to keep up the good work and look forward to the successes to come.
We congratulate Judge Don Elledge on this recent recognition by the State of Tennessee and the Board of the Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals. Elledge is acknowledged for his service, his contribution to Recovery Courts in Tennessee and his district. His work is honored and his time valued for his effort in creating and maintaining the Anderson County Recovery Court.