DeWine budget will include $7.5M for additional drug courts

YOUNGSTOWN — Gov. Mike DeWine today announced his upcoming budget will include an additional $7.5 million in funding for 30 additional specialty docket drug courts across the state.

DeWine announced the recommendation during a visit this morning to the courtroom of Judge John Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, who for more than 20 years has coordinated the county's drug court. The court boasts recidivism rates lower than 10 percent, which DeWine called "phenomenal numbers."

"Specialty dockets give judges the flexibility necessary when they encounter someone in the court system who may benefit from more treatment for substance use disorder rather than serving jail time," DeWine is quoted in a release. "These specialty courts are a proven way to hold those with substance use disorder accountable and ensure participation in mental health and addiction treatment."

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