DuPage County getting $471,000 for mental health program

WHEATON, Ill. (AP) - A program in a suburban Chicago county that helps people with drug problems or suffering from mental illness stay out of the criminal justice system is getting $471,000 from the federal government.

The two-year grant that's going to the DuPage County Health Department and the county sheriff's office will support what is called the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program.

It will assist about 700 people with mental illness and substance abuse stay out of the criminal justice system as well as help prevent jail inmates from committing crimes once they are released from custody.

In a news release, the health department says such programs are especially important given the fact that last year more than 1,000 jail inmates said they have mental health issues.