Merkley, Wyden Announce $300,000 to Fund the Washington County Drug Treatment Court

Federal Grant Will Extend the Operation of the Court for Three Additional Years

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Tuesday that the Washington County Drug Treatment Court will receive $300,000 to enhance and extend the operation of the court for three more years.  The new funding will allow for the addition of an employment program as well as additional treatment services, an employment specialist, and a recovery mentor. 

“To help keep our children away from destructive drugs and keep our communities safe, we need facilities like the Washington County Drug Treatment Court,” Merkley said.  “By addressing drug problems head on and providing necessary rehabilitation services to those who need them, we can preserve families and improve communities.”

“An effective drug treatment court like the one in Washington County builds safer communities by helping offenders straighten out their lives and stop using drugs,” Wyden said. “This funding means the treatment court will not only be able to keep its doors open for another three years, it will be able to make its services available to even more members of the community.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the court serves 40 adults and 15 women with children. The program focuses on substance abuse treatment, housing, and a recovery mentor program.