Floyd Detention Center, police department awarded grants
By: Jarrid Deaton
Staff Writer, Medical Leader
October 5, 2007

PRESTONSBURG — The substance abuse and treatment program for inmates at the Floyd County Detention Center will be expanding its services, thanks to a $138,000 grant from the state.

Governor Ernie Fletcher announced the funding on Sept. 27, during a stop in Prestonsburg.

“These funds will help individuals turn their lives around and give them the chance to seek treatment,” Fletcher said. “We have too many Kentuckians serving time in jails and prisons who need treatment for their drug addictions. Research shows they will be coming back if we don’t treat them while they are incarcerated.”

Kentucky contracts with county jails to house approximately 5,000 male inmates and 1,000 females. Prior to 2005, Kentucky had just one jail that provided any type of substance abuse treatment to male inmates and none to females. The 2006 General Assembly provided $1 million to the Office of Drug Control Policy to begin substance abuse treatment programs for inmates. Working with the Department of Corrections, jailers and service providers, recovery programs were established in 14 jails distributed around all congressional districts.

“We are grateful the administration recognizes the need for substance abuse treatment for those individuals and families fighting the disease of addiction,” said Jenifer Noland, regional vice president of WestCare Kentucky, which administers the programs.

“Drugs have paralyzed eastern Kentucky long enough, and with support of the community and government officials, WestCare is committed to making an impact on this serious problem.”

The program at the Floyd County Detention Center has seven graduates and is now serving 10 inmates.

“We need to continue to work together to rid our state of this problem that is ruining the lives of so many people,” said Senator Johnny Ray Turner (DDrift).

“These funds will continue to provide the Floyd County Detention Center the resources they need to stop the revolving door with people who abuse drugs. It will encourage those individuals to turn their lives around and give them the chance to seek treatment.”

Keeping with the law enforcement theme, Fletcher also presented a $10,000 safety grant to the Prestonsburg Police Department for use in curbing impaired driving and increasing seatbelt usage.

“We are constantly looking for new approaches to provide local law enforcement and other agencies the tools they need to save lives on our highways,” Fletcher said.

“We are working with local agencies and community leaders to identify life saving opportunities like this federal grant program, which provides financial resources for local police departments.”

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