FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2018
Governor Wolf Proposes
Drug Court Funding as Key Component of Opioid Epidemic Fight
Harrisburg, PA. — As part of his 2018-19
proposed budget, Governor Tom Wolf is recommending $2 million for new drug courts
and the expansion and enhancement of existing courts through an appropriation
to the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
“Drug
courts are a key component in the fight against the opioid epidemic,” PCCD
Chairman Charles Ramsey said. “These courts address the underlying addiction
and mental health issues of people involved in the criminal justice system
while holding them accountable for their actions.”
The
2016-17 budget included $300,000 for drug courts and was expanded to $2 million
in the 2017-18 budget. An additional $1 million in federal CURES Act funding
was also used during 2017.
Through
a competitive grant process, PCCD awarded funding to counties to support the
implementation of new drug courts, the expansion of existing drug courts, the
expansion of support services to drug court participants, and/or opioid-related
treatment services to problem-solving court participants.
“PCCD
has a long history of being involved in the expansion of the use of problem-solving
courts across the Commonwealth,” Ramsey said. “We will continue to work
with the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania’s Courts to support activities
that improve the operation of drug courts through advanced training and
accreditation, as well as expanding the availability of this valuable
sentencing alternative.”
For
additional information on funding availability and to register for funding
notifications, please visit PCCD’s website at www.pccd.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kirsten Kenyon, (717)
265-8505
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