DRUG COURTS TO BE SET UP WITH MONEY

Three Virginia drug-court programs will get a total of $1.1 million in
grants under a Justice Department anti-drug program.

Henrico County's Community Corrections Program will get $489,393, and the
Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board will receive $356,308 to set
up drug courts. The Supreme Court of Virginia in Richmond is also slated
for a $298,538 grant to create a drug court.

Drug courts offer an alternative to standard criminal prosecution for
people accused of drug-related violations. Participants are required to
take frequent drug tests and may be ordered to join community programs, in
return for dismissal or reduction of the charges against them.

Attorney General John Ashcroft announced the grants to the state recipients
last week. The grants are among 94 awarded to groups in 31 states and
totaling $34.2 million. They were awarded by the department's Office of
Justice Programs.