Leigh Anne Hiatt, APR
Public Information Officer
502-573-2350
leigh_annhiatt@mail.aoc.state.ky.us

www.kycourts.net

FRANKFORT, Ky., July 29, 2003 . Nearly $1.3 million in grant funds will ensure that Drug Court in 16 Kentucky counties will continue its important mission, announced Chief Justice of Kentucky Joseph E. Lambert, who oversees the state’s Drug Court program.

"Drug Court is a shining example of Kentucky’s success in specialty courts," said Chief Justice Lambert. "Instead of spending time in jail, eligible Drug Court participants complete a substance abuse program supervised by a judge that lets them return to productive lives, including employment, paying child support and meeting other family obligations. Our war on drug abuse gains new momentum every time we secure new funding for Drug Court."

Chief Justice Lambert said that since Drug Court began in 1993, Kentucky has saved $11.3 million by graduating 859 individuals from Drug Court instead of paying for their incarceration.

Drug Court currently operates in 41 counties with 55 counties planning to implement the program.

The grant funds will be administered by the Drug Court Department of the Administrative Office of the Courts, the support arm of the court system, which received word in early July that it would receive $1,298,341 from the Kentucky Justice Cabinet’s Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Fund.

Agencies must apply for the funds each year. Since the Kentucky Drug Court Department’s inception in 1996, Drug Court has received more than $9 million in Byrne grant monies.

According to Connie Payne, Drug Court Department manager, the funding will be divided among existing Drug Court programs in the following counties (list includes names of Drug Court judges):

Christian County, Circuit Judges John Atkins and Edwin White

Daviess County, Circuit Judge Tom Castlen

Fayette County, Chief Regional Circuit Judge Mary Noble, Circuit Judge Sheila Isaac and District Judge Maria Ransdell

Fulton/Hickman/Ballard/Carlisle Counties, District Judges Hunter Whitesell and Keith Myers

Hardin County, Circuit Judge Kelly Easton and District Judges Kimberly Shumate and John Simcoe

Jefferson County, Circuit Judge Ann Shake

Lincoln/Rockcastle/Pulaski Counties, Circuit Judge Debra Lambert

Kenton/Campbell Counties, Chief Regional Circuit Judge William Wehr and Circuit Judge Gregory Bartlett

Pike County, District Judges Kelsey Friend and Darrel Mullins

Warren County, Chief Regional Circuit Judge John Minton

Payne said the funds will be used for Drug Court personnel salaries, treatment costs and operational expenses. Drug Court staff work with program participants to develop customized treatment plans, which include group and individual counseling, frequent and random urine testing, and educational and vocational training. Participants report directly to their Drug Court judge, who rewards progress and sanctions those who fall out of compliance. Judges who serve Kentucky Drug Court volunteer their time to the program.

Kentucky Drug Court is administered through the AOC under the direction of Chief Justice Lambert and AOC Director Cicely Jaracz Lambert. In 2003, Kentucky’s program earned the National Association of Drug Court Professionals National Drug Court Month Award for its outstanding accomplishments in recognizing National Drug Court Month. The AOC supports the activities of more than 3,300 Kentucky Court of Justice employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the Court of Justice, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.

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