COUNTY RECEIVES FEDERAL MONIES FOR DRUG COURT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kanawha County has received money from the
federal government to start a drug court.

A $334,480 grant was issued by the U.S. Department of Justice,
Office of Justice Programs, according to a news release Wednesday
from the Kanawha County Commission.

The drug court will offer rehabilitative, counseling and job
placement services for adult nonviolent offenders facing drug-related charges.

"I am excited to take the lead on this program as Chief Judge for
Kanawha County and start a new program that will assist nonviolent
offenders with rehabilitation and becoming productive citizens,
while keeping them out of the overpopulated regional jail," said
Chief Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker.

The program will attempt to help alcohol and substance abusers
recover from addictions while performing community service and
developing job skills, the release states.

"I believe that the Kanawha County Drug Court will be another useful
community corrections mechanism that will help cut regional jail
costs and will provide the rehabilitation services that nonviolent
offenders need," said Commission President Kent Carper.
"The program will work similar to the Kanawha County Day Report
Center, but will be for nonviolent offenders that have committed
drug-related crimes and will be a more intense rehabilitation program."

The County Commission also received a grant of $49,995 from the
Office of Justice Program's Justice and Mental Health Program.

The funds will be used to determine ways to improve the juvenile
mental health system.