By Staff Reports

 Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a total of $570,570 to four agencies that provide avenues for drug offenders to obtain help to end their addictions.

The RCA Foundation was awarded a grant of $149,778 to continue a drug treatment program for people in south-central Alabama who have pleaded guilty to drug offenses or are being monitored through a court referral program. The program covers Autauga, Butler, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Elmore and Lowndes counties.

“Those who fall prey to the menace of drugs need structured professional help to overcome their addictions,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend these agencies for their willingness to offer assistance and hope to those individuals in order to turn their lives around.” 

Other agencies receiving funds, their amounts and service areas are:

• The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts will receive $150,000 to continue serving juvenile courts throughout Alabama with their ability to offer drug treatment programs for juveniles and encourage participation by family members. 
• The Dallas County Commission was granted $120,792 to continue the Dallas County Adult Drug Court which offers a treatment-oriented program for non-violent offenders in that county.
• Mobile Community Corrections Center received an award of $150,000 to continue a drug treatment and supervisory program for people in Mobile County who have been convicted or pleaded guilty to a drug or drug-related offense.
• The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Kenneth Boswell, director of the Alabama Department of Economics and Community Affairs (ADECA) described the agency’s purpose for facilitating the grants.

“ADECA is pleased to support these agencies that are providing ways for people that have made wrong choices in their lives and are willing to start anew,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.

The agency administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.