PORTSMOUTH -- The city's new drug court expects to receive $499,627
from the U.S. Department of Justice to expand its program.

According to the Justice Department's Drug Courts Program Office, the
city is one of three Virginia localities slated to receive drug-court
grants. Newport News is to receive $449,256 and Chesterfield County
is to get $490,543.

``What it's going to enable us to do is expand the program,'' which
is less than a year old, Circuit Judge Johnny Morrison said.

In addition to providing more services, the funds will allow the drug
court to hire a case manager, said Ethel Weaver, the drug treatment
court administrator in Portsmouth. The case manager will work to link
clients to housing, full-time employment, educational opportunities
and more, Weaver said.

Drug courts combine substance-abuse treatment, intense supervision
and the potential of sanctions, such as jail or prison, to help
defendants get their lives on track. Offenders who graduate from drug
court programs may have their charges dismissed or sentences reduced.

Portsmouth's drug court has 18 clients.

That number will grow, along with the professional personnel to help
drug offenders, Weaver said.

In Hampton Roads, drug courts are in Portsmouth, Norfolk and Newport News.

Virginia Beach began a program in its District Court last year. And
Suffolk is exploring the possibility.