The process to bring a drug court to Centre County took a huge step forward when county commissioners gave their go-ahead Feb. 21 for submittal of a $400,000 grant application to the Bureau of Justice.
If awarded, the money would be used primarily to fund the hiring of two full-time employees for the program — one in the probation department and the other as a case manager — as well as treatment services, court operation and services, participant supervision and case management.
“We’re applying for the maximum amount we are allowed to apply for,” said Cathy Arbogast, the county’s assistant administrator in the office of drug and alcohol. “This will go a long way with the immediate goals we have for the program.”
According to Arbogast, the county must provide a 25 percent match to the grant, which computes to $133,431. She said $90,000 of that match is already taken care of through in-kind support, and additional matching funds will be plugged into the numbers for travel and drug testing supplies.
She said the drug court, which is set to open this fall, will target individuals already familiar with the Centre County judicial system and who are looking at revocation of probation or parole on drug-related offenses. She said individuals in the program will be tested for drugs at least three times a week, and will be provided with a variety of services aimed at reducing recidivism into the county jail.
Arbogast explained that if the grant is awarded to Centre County, it would cover costs of the courts for three years, after which the court should become self-sustaining.
‘GREAT ADDITION’
According to Stacy Parks Miller, Centre County’s district attorney, the planning of the drug court has been ongoing for several months and involves the cooperation of several county offices. She said organizers of the new court have done heavy research into how to handle and conduct a county-based drug court program, and have traveled to various Pennsylvania counties to see how their drug courts operate.
“We’ve been able to see firsthand how these courts are helping people, and improving the communities repeat offenders live in,” said Parks Miller. “There’s absolutely no doubt we have an opioid problem here in Centre County, and having a working drug court as a tool at our disposal can only make things improve.”
Centre County Judge Pamela Ruest has been involved with the proposed drug court program since it was initially talked about in early 2016.
“I feel we are taking a very big step forward in this war we have going,” Ruest told Centre County Gazette. “And, it is a war. We need to find ways to fight it, and a drug court is a good way to target the individuals who keep appearing in our courtrooms for drug offenses. It’s going to be a great addition to the criminal justice system here in Centre County.”
