JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AWARDS $11 MILLION FOR VIRGINIA DRUG COURTS

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two Virginia programs and the state Supreme Court will
get a total of $1.1 million in grants under a Justice Department anti-drug
program. Attorney General John Ashcroft announced the grants to the
Virginia recipients on Thursday. The grants are among 94 awarded to groups
in 31 states and totaling $34.2 million. The grants were awarded by the
department's Office of Justice Programs.

Two Virginia organizations were given grants to set up drug courts. Henrico
County's Community Corrections Program will get $489,393, and the
Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board will receive $356,308. 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.