Jon Morgan

CONCORD – The Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts today announced that former state Sen. Jon Morgan and retired Manchester Fire Chief Dan Goonan joined the Friends board of directors.

The Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts is a statewide 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides financial and educational support to participants of drug courts, an alternative sentencing program operating in 10 New Hampshire Superior Courts. Drug courts are in Brentwood, Concord, Dover, Keene, Laconia, Lancaster, Manchester, Nashua, North Haverhill and Ossipee.

Friends board members welcomed Morgan and Goonan, citing their years of public service, leadership and strong record of helping those struggling with substance use disorder, mental illness and homelessness.

Goonan served 36 years with the Manchester Fire Department, retiring as fire chief April 30. He was a vocal advocate of the Safe Station program, which connects anyone with a substance use disorder who comes to a fire station seeking help with treatment. In 2019, Goonan was named to an advisory committee of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. A Manchester resident, he serves as a police officer in Auburn and is a candidate for alderman-at-large.

Goonan said he saw first-hand the difference drug courts have made in helping participants achieve long-term recovery. Their success, however, often depends on being able to acquire supportive housing, employment and transportation.

Dan Goonan

“The Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts often fills these critical gaps in services, enabling drug court participants to get the lift up they need to succeed,” Goonan said. “I’m excited to be part of the Friends board and continue to support the successful drug court program.”

Morgan, a Brentwood resident, represented state Senate District 23 from 2018-2020 during which he established and chaired a commission to study the statewide expansion of mental health courts. He also was vice chair of the Senate Commerce Committee.

“I’m incredibly proud to join the Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts board as they support the aspirations of those facing the daunting, lifelong journey of recovery. The mission of the Friends truly aims to leave the woodpile higher,” Morgan said.

Morgan works as a senior threat researcher for Area 1 Security, a cybersecurity company based in Redwood City, Calif. He previously assessed terrorism threats as a contractor with the U.S. Department of Defense. Morgan sits on the board of 603 Forward, an issues advocacy group, and serves as a Brentwood selectman.

For more information about the Friends, please visit www.friends of nh drug courts.org.

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