The U.S. Senate has approved a budget amendment calling for $40 million in funding for drug court programs in fiscal 2008, according to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP).

The amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill, introduced by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), raises drug-court funding back up to a level last seen in 2005 and exceeding the $25 million proposed by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The House of Representatives also has set drug-court discretionary grant funding at $40 million.

In fiscal 2006, just $10 million was allocated to drug courts, and that figure carried over into 2007.