Yakima, WASH.--Yakima County has been given nearly a $1 million grant to expand its Adult Drug Court Program for another 3 years.
The county will be one of the first in the state to add a mental health component to the Drug Court Program.
Now, they can help people coping with substance abuse problems and mental health issues at the same time.
The grant money will also pay for interview clothing and go towards babysitting services so participants can attend AA meetings
50 people will participate in the 3-year program.
Superior Court Administrative Consultant Harold Delia said it's good this money will include mental health because when people get sober, they usually get depressed.
"When they come off of methamphetamine, they've realized that not only have they destroyed their life, they've destroyed their family's life, their friends lives," said Delia. "So there's this huge depression and guilt."
Yakima County's Drug Court Program has been in effect for 12 years.
Court consultants said the program's been highly successful.
They measure its success by watching how participants reintegrate back into the community, back into family life, and they do drug and alcohol tests to see if participants come up clean.
