The Black Diamond Day Reporting Program (DRP) began July 1, 2006.  Since that time, the program has served over two hundred participants in both Tazewell and Buchanan Counties who struggled with the disease of addiction.  As a result of this program, non-violent substance abusers have been given opportunities for both residential and out patient substance abuse treatment, been linked with community resources to further their educational/vocational needs, and been able to participate in support groups including Celebrate Recovery, AA/NA, and ALANON to develop a recovery plan in lieu of incarceration in the Regional Jail System, Virginia Department of Corrections, or even death.

Effective October 9, 2008 the Black Diamond DRP was terminated through budget cuts and the seven DRP staff received lay off notices.  On October 10, 2008 Dennis Lee, Commonwealth Attorney, reported that Tazewell County was now leading the state of Virginia for the rate of lethal overdoses, not per capita, but purely in numbers. Fairfax County was second, but with a population of over one million residents.

Since the opening of the Black Diamond Day Reporting Program through the Virginia Department of Corrections, the availability for substance abuse treatment in our rural counties has became more accessible than ever.  This program became possible through collaborative efforts from the Court system, District 43 Probation and Parole with the DRP, Cumberland Mountain Community Service Board, and the faith based community.  Staff for the DRP in Tazewell and Buchanan Counties totaled seven individuals.  This staff worked closely with treatment providers, other community agencies, and especially the faith based community to intensively supervise, counsel, and provide structure for these participants.  Probation and Parole Officers have participated in the Tazewell County Anti-Drug March in April of this year as they walked with participants, local law enforcement, the Commonwealth Attorney’s office, and delegates to show that this community was there in the battle to combat addiction and the negative consequences that ensue.  DRP staff has transported participants to and from DRP services, doctor appointments, GED classes, Court, and often been available after working hours for additional support.  Doing these things has given the participants hope as they know that the staff cares about their well-being and that they were trying to make a positive difference in their lives.  The staff has embraced Evidenced Based Practices and Effective Communication Skills/Techniques.  These are practices that are based on beliefs that people have the ability to change and that understanding, support, positive mentoring, etc. will aid to facilitate the positive change.

This community is not asking for funding to resume the DRP, but to return those seven positions to the District 43 Probation and Parole office through positions that are being HELD within the Virginia Department of Corrections.  Allow the staff to stay at District 43 where they have developed positive relationships with the participants and where they have gained the support of the community in both Tazewell and Buchanan counties.  With the lay off of those seven staff members, approximately 380 probationers will be transferred to a regular supervision level of one mandatory contact per quarter.

This will increase the already high caseload of the remaining probation officers and negatively affect the community in the following ways:

Increase in crime due to lessened supervision level.

Increase in probation violations and incarcerations.

Increase in cost to Tazewell County and eventually the Virginia Department of Corrections to house inmates.

Increase in the rate of lethal overdoses.

Again, we are not asking for funding for DRP, but for the Department of Corrections, our legislators, and Governor Kaine to realize the need to return these seven positions to District 43 Probation and Parole.  This to allow for non violent probationers to have the opportunity for more structure and positive change in a community setting.   Our community has shown a willingness to come together to combat the disease of addiction; however, we need the continued support of the Virginia Department of Corrections to return supervision positions to Tazewell and Buchanan Counties.  Any assistance through writing letters, emailing, or calling your local representatives, legislators, legal officials, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

You can download the letter here.

Below is the contact information for:

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine

Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Phone: (804) 786-2211
Fax: (804) 371-6351

Contact Via Web Site: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/index.cfm
Gene Johnson

Director of Virginia Department of Corrections

PO Box 26963

Richmond, VA  23261

Phone:  (804) 674-3119

Email:  gene.johnson@vadoc.virginia.gov

James R. Camache

Deputy Director of Virginia Department of Corrections

PO Box 26963

Richmond, VA  23261

Phone:  (804) 674-3244

Email:  james.camache@vadoc.virginia.gov

Delegate Daniel Bowling

District Legislative Office   Capitol Office (During Session)

Delegate Dan Bowling   Delegate Dan Bowling

P.O. Box 429    P.O. Box 406

Oakwood, VA 24631  Richmond, VA  23218

Phone (276) 498-7207  Phone (804) 698-1003

Fax     (276)-498-4877            Fax     (804) 786-6310

Email: deldbowling@house.state.va.us
Senator Phillip P. Puckett

38^th Senatorial District

Senate of Virginia

PO Box 924

Tazewell, VA  24651

Richmond  (804) 698-7538

Tazewell    (276) 979-8181

Email: district38@sov.state.va.us

CPO Christopher Shortt

Probation & Parole District 43
PO Box 363
Pounding Mill, VA 24637
(276) 963-3092 ext. 5007

Email: christopher.shortt@vadoc.virginia.gov