CAMPBELL, KENTON DRUG COURTS TO GET STATE FUNDS

The Kentucky Drug Court program in Campbell and Kenton counties will
receive part of $1.3 million in state grant money to continue offering
alternative sentencing and other services to select drug offenders. Sixteen
counties were selected to receive a portion of the Kentucky Justice
Cabinet's Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Fund this year. The funds will be
used to pay salaries, treatment and operational costs for the program.

Kentucky's Drug Court program began in 1993 and operates in 41 counties.
Select drug offenders admitted into the program receive customized
treatment plans, counseling, drug testing and job training instead of jail
time, allowing them to stay employed as they put their lives back together.

"Our war on drug abuse gains new momentum every time we secure new funding
for Drug Court," said Joseph E. Lambert, chief justice of the Kentucky
Supreme Court, who oversees the state's Drug Court program.

Since 1996, Kentucky Drug Court programs have received more than $9 million
in Byrne Grant funds, which must be applied for annually. Drug Court judges
in Campbell and Kenton counties are Chief Regional Circuit Judge William
Wehr and Circuit Judge Gregory Bartlett.

Kentucky's Administrative Office of the Courts oversees the program statewide.