October 01, 2015

Manchin and Capito Announce Funding to Combat Drug Abuse in West Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced a total of $620,005 in funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to support continued efforts to combat drug abuse in West Virginia.

The City of Huntington will receive $220,005 in funding to support the enhancement of drug court services. Specifically, the grant award will help establish new capabilities in underserved communities, enhance training programs for drug court experts, and expand and improve the overall quality of their effectiveness.

The West Virginia Supreme Court will receive $400,000 to improve and increase the effectiveness of juvenile drug courts. Funding will be used for training, program monitoring and evaluation. Mentor programs will be created and curriculum will be developed to better serve individuals in need. Additionally, a state-wide evaluation of West Virginia’s Juvenile Drug Courts will be conducted to determine areas in need of adjustments.

“Crime and substance abuse wreaks so much havoc on our families, our communities and our state,” Senator Manchin said. “Our drug court officers must have the necessary resources to provide treatment and other services to those battling drug addiction so that we can combat this devastating epidemic. This funding will help keep our communities safe from drug abuse and addiction by improving and expanding drug court services and getting victims of crime and substance abuse, who have had their lives devastated by these illegal acts, back on the right track.”

“In order to continue the fight against West Virginia’s drug epidemic, it is critical that the state be equipped with the necessary resources,” said Senator Capito. “This federal funding will play a significant role in enhancing drug court services in the city of Huntington and statewide, bringing us closer to our goal of creating a drug-free West Virginia. I am pleased to join Senator Manchin in this announcement and remain committed to doing everything in my power to prevent the spread of drug abuse.”

Individual awards are listed below:

·        $220,005 – City of Huntington

·        $400,000 – West Virginia Supreme Court

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