STATEHOUSE (Jan. 3, 2024) – Nearly $200,000 in state funding is in route to DeKalb County courts to help more local Hoosiers turn their lives around, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
The $192,709 in grant funds from the Indiana Office of Court Services will be used for DeKalb County's Superior Adult Drug Court's programming costs, including drug screenings and supervision. First established in DeKalb County under the direction of Judge Adam Squiller in 2021, the adult drug court works to reduce recidivism and create safer communities.
"It was my honor to work alongside Judge Squiller and bring attention to the needs of this court and showcase the value it provides to our community," Smaltz said. "This collaborative effort between state and local government is a tremendous benefit to our community. With the additional funding, local Hoosiers struggling with substance abuse problems can access resources and work to get their lives back on track."
The court is 1 of 3 problem-solving courts in the county, targeting non-violent drug offenders who are at high risk of becoming repeat offenders. Judges are more hands-on with cases as compared to traditional courts and have a goal of connecting individuals to treatment where they can address their problems, return to the community and find stable employment.
"I am grateful to Representative Smaltz and the Indiana Supreme Court for prioritizing issues so that we may better serve our local communities," Squiller said. "The additional funding will tremendously help the addiction treatment court to provide services and monitoring that are necessary to run a successful program."
Smaltz said after receiving $10,000 in grant funds last year, he teamed with Squiller to advocate for additional funding as the program continues to grow.
According to the Indiana Office of Court Services, 55 courts across Indiana offer alcohol and drug programs.
Visit in.gov/courts/iocs/pscourts/ to learn more about problem-solving courts.
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State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) represents House District 52,
which includes all of DeKalb County, and portions of Noble and Steuben counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) (right) joins Judge Adam Squiller (left) Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at the DeKalb County Courthouse. First established in DeKalb County under the direction of Squiller in 2021, the adult drug court works to reduce recidivism and create safer communities. Nearly $200,000 in state funding is in route to DeKalb County courts to help more local Hoosiers turn their lives around.
