Ellington

NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) — Adams County Drug Court programs will face significant cuts July 1 as part of statewide budget cuts approved last week.

The Drug Court Advisory Committee voted last week to cut overall funding of Mississippi drug courts by 42 percent for the upcoming fiscal year.

Participants in drug court programs must undergo intensive, long-term treatment and counseling and must make frequent court appearances. When they complete the programs, charges against them may be reduced or set aside entirely. Adams County offers adult, youth and family drug court.

Adams County Youth Court Judge John Hudson told The Natchez Democrat Thursday the news of the cuts was devastating.

For Adams County, Hudson said the cuts would eliminate the family drug court program and hamper the adult and youth programs.