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Riley County recently received a grant from the Department of Justice to start a new drug court program.

The $550,000 grant was awarded to Riley County Community Corrections Dec. 9. It essentially creates an alternative to incarceration for criminal or juvenile offenders and parents with pending child welfare cases who have alcohol and other drug dependency problems become and remain sober. The goal of the program is recovery so as to reduce future criminal activity.

Drug court participants are required to abstain from substance use, to be accountable for their behavior, and to fulfill the legal responsibilities of the offenses they have committed.

The 4-year grant not only assists with treatment, but also assists paying for Medication-Assisted Treatment for those struggling with opioid use disorders.

The grant is in place through Sept. 30, 2025.

To fulfill the grant requirements, Riley County says it will incorporate existing services including evidence-based substance abuse treatment, a random drug testing program, and operationalize the 10 Key Components of Drug Courts. Those components are as follows:

  1. Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing.
  2. Using a non-adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants’ due process rights.
  3. Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program.
  4. Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and other related treatment and rehabilitation services.
  5. Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing.
  6. A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants’ compliance.
  7. Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential.
  8. Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness.
  9. Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations.
  10. Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court program effectiveness.

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