MIDDLEBURG -- Union and Snyder counties have received a $350,000 federal grant to fund its newly created drug treatment court for three years.

The grant was provided to the 17th Judicial District, serving both Union and Snyder counties, by the Bureau of Justice Assistance of U.S. Department of Justice to provide strict supervision and treatment to non-violent defendants convicted of drug-related crimes instead of jail.

The money will be used to pay salary and benefits of probation officers assigned to drug court, which was launched in June, as well as for treatment provided to participants, drug-testing materials and tracking devices.

The grant application was prepared primarily by Union County probation officer Scott Kerstetter, with assistance from other members of the drug court team, including representatives of Columbia Montour Snyder Union Mental Health/Mental Retardation Drug and Alcohol programming, both district attorneys and the court.

"While our program is only in its infancy, based upon the information provided to Bureau of Justice Assistance, (the agency) obviously concluded that we are on the right path with our program," President Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr. said. "This funding assures the continued viability of the drug treatment court in Snyder and Union counties."