Two Additional Drug Treatment Courts Approved for NSVSAC

WINCHESTER – The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition (NSVSAC) Executive Committee and Interim Executive Director Terri Cluss are pleased to announce that on June 22, 2023, the Virginia Supreme Court approved two new Drug Treatment Courts for the Northern Shenandoah Valley. 

The Shenandoah County Drug Treatment Court will be presided over by the Honorable Kevin Black, Circuit Court Judge.  Judge Black was sworn into Shenandoah County Circuit Court in 2015.  Jenna Barsotti will serve as the Drug Treatment Court coordinator.  The Honorable Daryl Funk, Circuit Court Judge since 2022, will preside over the Warren County Drug Treatment Court.  Its Drug Treatment Court coordinator is Erin Dooley. 

The decision to seek Drug Treatment Courts in the two localities was based on several factors.  However, after several committed community stakeholders recognized the overwhelming lack of access to jail-based and community-based treatment and services, the NSVSAC decided to pursue the two courts. In 2022, Valley Health Systems entered into MOUs with Warren County, the Town of Front Royal, and Shenandoah County to provide initial funding for the two courts. “Our communities are incredibly grateful for the continued commitment from Valley Health System in the NSVSAC’s prevention and recovery efforts,” stated Director Terri Cluss.

The Drug Treatment Courts will serve non-violent and non-sexual offenders, with high treatment need, who have a drug or substance use related offense.   It is anticipated that each court will serve 10 participants in the first year of operation.  For press inquiries please contact Terri Cluss at 540-536-5000.    

About NSVSAC

The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition collaborates with community partners to take the lead in identifying and developing effective resources to ensure that the necessary continuum of care for substance use and addiction services is available to all members of the community in the greater Winchester, Virginia area. Formed in 2014, the Coalition and its public and private sector partners have worked to compassionately reduce the stigma of addiction, improve access to substance use treatment services and decrease the number of overdoses to combat the opioid epidemic in Virginia. For more information on the Coalition, please visit nsvsac.org.