VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A $25,000 funding request for the Vigo County Drug Court was unanimously approved by the Vigo County Council on Tuesday.

Chief Judge Chris Newton, Judge Matthew Sheehan and Judge Charles Johnson were all present and stood at the podium during the request discussion and vote.

Judge Sheehan had originally sent in the request to the council, referencing a federal grant that expires later this month.

Judge Newton expressed his gratitude for the funding approval after the vote.

“It means a lot and it’s just such a great program,” Newton said. “There are some changes that we’re making, trying to streamline it, make it more efficient, but it was just an essential program.”

Newton was not able to elaborate on the changes to the drug court at this time, but did reference some grant opportunities that could help with funding for the program in the future.

He said the support for the program in the community is “almost 100%”.

“We have people in there that are doing so well,” Newton said. “We want them to continue to improve and thrive and heal and be productive members of our society.”

The $25,000 funding will allow the drug court to sustain operations through the rest of 2023.