U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced today that Mercer County has been awarded a grant of $27,282 to help support the Mercer Day Report Center Drug Treatment Program. The program provides services to nonviolent offenders with a history of drug use and simple possession.

"I am glad to hear that the Department of Justice realizes the need for drug treatment programs in southern West Virginia," said Rahall. "With the ongoing problem of meth throughout our state, treatment programs such as this one in Mercer County play an important role in our communities. This funding will help get folks back on their feet and help rectify past mistakes with drugs."

The grant was from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG). According to the Department of Justice, JAG allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. These grants can be used for many projects, such as drug treatment programs, corrections and community corrections programs, drug use prevention and education programs, and law enforcement programs.