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Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced $4,750,000 in federal funding to combat substance abuse in Webb County. The funds, provided by three separate awards, will be used for the 406^th Judicial District Adult Drug Court Program, the Webb County Court at Law II DWI Court Program, and the Webb County Court at Law II Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program.

The funding will provide holistic approaches to addressing substance abuse and related criminal behavior in Webb County adults and juveniles through treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.

406^th Judicial District Adult Drug Court Program

Overseen by Webb County Judge Tano E. Tijerina and adjudicated by Associate District Court Judge David E. Garcia, the 406^th Judicial District Adult Drug Court Program will receive $2,000,000. This funding will help Webb County reduce recidivism, improve mental and physical health, and evaluate the cost-effectiveness for potential future funding and development for 460 felony and misdemeanor individuals over a 5-year period. This funding will also allow the program to extend to the neighboring counties of Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Starr.

Webb County Court at Law II DWI Court Program

Overseen by Judge Victor Villarreal, the Webb County Court at Law II DWI Court Program will receive $2,000,000. The program will enable the Court to continue providing alcohol and drug treatments and recovery support services with multiple community partners, including SCAN, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Webb County Public Defender’s Office. So far, more than 359 participants have graduated from the DWI Court Program.

Webb County Court at Law II Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program

Also overseen by Judge Victor Villarreal, the Webb County Court at Law Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program will receive $750,000. This specialized, collaborative program will target teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 to reach sobriety by providing substance abuse treatment through key community agencies, including PILLAR, the Laredo Police Department, Laredo ISD, and United ISD. The program aims to help at least 400 teenagers over four years.

“Substance abuse is an acute public health concern that we must put an end to in Webb County. One way of doing so is by working together with our court system to provide help to those who need it most,” said Dr. Cuellar, a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Judicial involvement and supervision provided by our courts, combined with effective treatment services by community stakeholders, will effectively address this health issue. Thank you to Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, Associate District Court Judge David E. Garcia, and Webb County Court at Law II Judge Victor Villarreal for working with me to tackle substance abuse in our community.”

“Sobriety is now a way-of-life for more than 360 persons who have graduated from the Webb County DWI Court Program. Webb County is fortunate to again receive federal funding by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – SAMHSA. These funds provide resources, counseling, and supervision through the DWI Court Program,” said Webb County Court at Law II Judge Victor Villarreal. “What an honor to continue presiding over the DWI Court and providing program participants hope. This Court succeeds because of collaboration with many agencies. We work together for the benefit of participants and our community every day.”

The Judge continued: “Help is on the way for at-risk youth in Webb County because of award funding by the U.S. Department of Justice. With this grant, we will establish a much-needed and long overdue Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program. Many community agencies, LISD, and UISD will work with us to identify young persons who will benefit from judicial, substance abuse, and mental health services. The Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program shows what happens when our community works together and Webb County Court-at-Law II perseveres.”

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