COMMISSIONERS OK DRUG TREATMENT GRANT PROCESS

A little more than a week ago, the Watauga County Commissioners held their
annual pre-budget retreat. The two day meeting addressed "budget drivers"
and reports from a number of community organizations in preparation for the
long and involved process of deciding how to best spend the taxpayers'
dollars.

Perhaps the two days of meetings addressed many of the items that
would traditionally have come before the commissioners at a regular
meeting.

In any event, Monday's commissioners' meeting was quick and, within 35
minutes, they had moved through an agenda devoid of controversial issues.

. Budget work sessions are tentatively scheduled for May 7 (6 p.m. to
10 p.m.) and May 14 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.). The dates and times will be
finalized and a public hearing on the budget is tentatively scheduled
for May 18 at the regular commissioners' meeting.

An additional work session will be scheduled, if needed, to address
citizen comments.

. Randy Townsend, a probation officer and chairman of the Criminal
Justice Partnership Program, obtained permission to apply for a
$55,661 state grant to support an intensive out-patient drug treatment
program.

Townsend said that this was the same amount the county has previously
received and he anticipated no problem in receiving the same amount.

The commissioners unanimously approved the application, but questioned
the amount.

Commissioner Keith Honeycutt, pointing to the County's well-known and
well-publicized methamphetamine problem asked if there was a greater
need for services and asked if it were possible to ask for more money
to expand drug treatment.

Commissioner Jimmy Hodges, joined by the other commissioners, said,
"We need to ask for more. You're not going to get it if you don't ask
for it."

County Manager Rocky Nelson and Townsend said that the County has
received additional distributions in the past when other counties had
not used the funds and returned them and when additional funds became
available.

Townsend said that he would investigate the possibility of obtaining
additional funding.

Townsend said that the program provides intensive drug counseling and
treatment for 30 patients and is run through classes at New River
Behavioral Health.

The program is free of charge to the clients, the majority of whom are
placed in the program through referral and legal action for drug offenses.

The program includes the support and cooperation of the Division of
Community Corrections, the N.C. Employment Security Commission,
education classes at Caldwell Community College and Technical
Institute and the N.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Staff.

. Nancy Reigel, chair of the Volunteer Outreach Center, received a
unanimous vote of the commissioners to adopt a resolution proclaiming
March 2004 as Volunteer Month.

In addition to the proclamation, Reigel said that a Volunteer Fest
will be held Saturday, March 13 in the Boone Mall.

Reigel said that the fest will provide a space and a forum for
organizations to network, recruit volunteers and promote their
activities. Beginning March 21, and continuing for six weekly sessions
through April 30, the Volunteer Outreach Center, Appalachian and
Community Together and the Watauga County 4-H will sponsor a program
to introduce middle and high-school students to the benefits of
volunteering in the community.

The sessions will include service and citizenship, identifying
community needs, building community partnerships, identifying
resources, creating an action plan and carrying out the service activity.

Preregistration for both programs is necessary and information may be
obtained by contacting Reigel at (828) 268-0637.