Circuit judge reports drug‑court grants enrolled 53 participants; housing remains bottleneck

Circuit Judge Chuck Clawson gave an eight‑month status update on two grant programs supporting drug court and related treatment services, reporting measurable intake and program activity and highlighting housing as a primary constraint.

Clawson said his team has contacted 168 individuals since July 9 for screening and referral; 53 people were enrolled in drug court and 41 were not enrolled for reasons including prosecutorial declines and disqualifying violent charges. He reported the program administered 946 drug tests during the period and that 74 people remain in screening or in process for other services. Clawson described peer support, partnerships with Bethlehem House and the Ministry Center, and clinical support from River Valley Medical and Natural State as central to the effort. "We're building that up," he said, noting the launch of a lower‑risk track in February (track two) that had four participants at start.

On housing, Clawson told justices the lack of stable housing is the program’s bottleneck; he said county partners were close to securing 25–40 units of sober living that would materially expand capacity. He also said the grants and program activities generated what county grant managers estimate as about $767,000 in taxpayer savings through reduced jail stays, case management and other services.

Members commended the program and asked about grant timelines. Clawson said one grant is a three‑year award and the other a four‑year award and that he is exploring additional treatment options to spend awarded funds appropriately before grant sunsets. He closed by saying he will return to the court with updated numbers in approximately six months.

The court did not take formal action on the report; members expressed appreciation and directed staff to continue oversight and follow‑up reporting.