4/7/16

Schuylkill County commissioners approved a grant application and have applied for a federal grant to start its drug court. 

According to the Republican Herald, the idea of a drug court has been discussed by county officials since 2014, but recently federal funding has been made available through the U.S. Bureau of Justices Assistance new Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program. 

Judge James P. Goodman said the county is seeking a $350,000 grant with a 25 percent local match that will be used to hire a full-time probation officer associated with the program and part-time additional staff. 

The county has already received a federal grant for training the seven to nine members on the drug court committee, which includes members of the district attorney, public defender, adult probation, and drug and alcohol offices. 

Goodman said the county needs a drug court due to the heroin epidemic and overcrowding at the prison.