Find a Therapist

Whatcom County may lose drug court due to lack of funds

By Staff Writer

Many counties have established drug courts to reduce crime rates in local communities. These drug rehab programs provide offenders with the opportunity to detoxify, as opposed to serving time in jail. However, a number of drug courts are in danger of disappearing due to a lack of funding.

The rehab program in Whatcom County, Washington is one example of a drug court struggling to stay in operation, according to NorthWest Cable News. State officials are currently faced with a budget shortfall, and several programs may have their funding cut to save the county money. The drug court is just one of many that will most likely suffer from the budget crisis.

Leigh Wirth, the drug rehab program coordinator, told the news source that cutting the program would be counterproductive. By allowing offenders to address their addiction through the court, they can avoid jail time. This not only keeps individuals from returning to the streets following detoxification, it saves taxpayers money that they would otherwise be spending on incarceration.

More than 20 million Americans admitted to using illicit substances within a 30-day period in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Family Services.