Hillsborough County lawmakers have rejected to fund a drug court in Manchester. The 123-member delegation voted 44-39 Tuesday night against a proposal to spend $450,000 of county funds towards implementing a drug court -- 39 delegates were absent during the vote.
Those who voted against the proposal said they support a drug court but just don't want the county to have to pay for it.
Manchester Democrat Pat Long, who actively fought for the drug court, says he's disappointed in the vote -- adding that the city doesn't have time to wait for alternative funding. So far this year Manchester has seen nearly 270 overdoses, 40 which were fatal.
Currently there are drug courts in Nashua along with Cheshire, Grafton, Rockingham and Strafford Counties. Most of which are paid for by the counties or through federal grants.
The city fought for nearly six months to get federal money, but was unsuccessfully. Long says if the state budget gets vetoed next week, which is looking likely, he hopes to try to push to get funding for the court into the new two-year spending plan.
