In March 2020, the governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia declared a state of emergency due to the Covid-19 coronavirus. Newly implemented contact and social distancing restrictions caused the District 20 random drug screening program, known as Color Code, to be suspended. Drug screenings, which are a necessary and impactful tool used most frequently during the term of supervision, were being administered only when they were Court ordered or when there was a public safety issue. In February 2021 the District 20 Probation and Parole District was faced with reimplementing the random drug screening Color Code Program with new procedures and social distancing mandates. The physical layout of the District 20 Probation and Parole Office presented a logistical challenge due to the limited size of and space for the staff. This, along with increasing concerns of opiate and methamphetamine use and overdoses, set the stage for drastic changes to the random drug screening program in the District.
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