Court Drug Diversion To Expand In Worcester County Courts Under Grant

MILFORD, MA — A $1.6 million grant from the Department of Justice will help keep drug-diversion programs going in local courts, and expand to new ones, according to the Worcester County District Attorney's Office.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance grant will keep drug diversion programs going in Leominster, Fitchburg, Clinton, Milford, Gardner and Winchendon district courts — plus expand the programs to Dudley, East Brookfield, Uxbridge and Westborough district courts.

As part of the program, AdCare Hospital clinicians will be available inside courthouses to provide assessment and referrals, so low-level offenders can enter drug treatment programs.

Another portion of the grant will help children affected by substance-use disorder. The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children will help create a Worcester County Drug Endangered Children’s Alliance program for those efforts, according to Early's office.

"We also know substance use disorder is a disease that affects the entire family, with children often being the forgotten victims who are traumatized when a family member is caught in addiction," Early said in a news release. "Our aim is to provide a soft touch and a helping hand to eliminate long-term trauma to these kids."

The DA's office was awarded the grant late last year, and will begin work on expanding the addiction assistance programs in 2023.