A nonprofit group from Grafton County is expanding to support drug courts throughout New Hampshire as the state grapples with a rising heroin and opioid abuse problem.
The Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts, which started in Grafton County, will raise private money to help support the specialized courts that aim to get drug offenders into treatment and keep them out of jail.
Currently there are drug courts in Belknap, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford counties.
The group's president, Edward Rajsteter says the funding will help take some of the burden off county governments, but won't replace state or local funding.
Last week, Gov. Maggie Hassan said she is seeking $11 million in new spending to open more drug courts as overdose deaths continue to rise.
