More than $1 Million Awarded to Montana Treatment Courts to Combat Substance Abuse, Tester Announces

$1,195,236 in grants will strengthen resources for those struggling with addiction

(Big Sandy, Mont.) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that more than $1 million in grant funding has been awarded to Montana’s treatment courts to combat substance abuse and strengthen treatment initiatives.

“Anyone struggling with addiction deserves a chance at redemption and recovery,” Tester said. “These resources will give Montana’s treatment courts the tools and resources they need to help get folks back on their feet.”

The grants are funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and were awarded to the Montana Supreme Court System, Billings Municipal Court, and Butte-Silver Bow County.

The Montana Supreme Court will receive a total of $797,735. Of this, $398,129 will be used to expand and enhance the Sobriety, Treatment, Education, Excellence and Rehab (STEER) program and the Courts Assisting Military Offenders (CAMO) Capacity program, which provide medicated-assisted treatment to people struggling with addiction while in jail. The Butte-Silver Bow Country Adult Treatment Court will receive the remaining $399,606 to expand their services.

The Billings Municipal Court will receive $397,501 to continue their Veterans Treatment Court and Adult Treatment Court programs, which provide an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system for defendants struggling with addiction.

Tester has long been a supporter of providing resources to those struggling with substance abuse. Last year, his bill to strengthen Veterans Treatment Courts in Montana was signed into law and he helped secure $4.3 million in funding to help Montana Health Centers combat addiction. While negotiating this year’s budget, Tester secured $245 million for alcohol and substance abuse programs in Indian Country.

Earlier this month, Tester joined a bipartisan letter urging his colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to continue funding for drug courts and veterans treatment courts in FY2020.

More information on Tester’s work to combat substance abuse is available HERE.