The Roanoke Valley Drug Court

I had the pleasure of attending my second Roanoke Valley Drug Court graduation this week. The Roanoke Times was there to cover the event. As you may know, the Drug Court takes applications from certain eligible non-violent felony offenders, who are given the opportunity to have their charges dismissed in return for a minimum eight months of intensive monitoring, counseling, 12-step programs, and payment of fines and restitution.

Roanoke's drug court was the first in the Commonwealth, and was started by Judge Diane Strickland. The Roanoke Valley Drug Court has the most participants of any drug court in the state. The Court is a proven success, with a re-arrest rate of less than half the re-arrest rate of non-participants.

Although the Drug Court is facing support shortages, due to budget cuts from the Department of Corrections, the Court is still a going concern with plans for the future. The Drug Court could face further budget cuts during this legislative session, so let your legislator know your position on the issue.