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"Drug Treatment Courts In An Evolving Magistracy". By Victor Roach, President, The Caribbean ICPA Bloc Member, The International Association of Drug Treatment Courts The OECS Biennial Magistrates Conference 2007. What is our Philosophical Base?. Punishment or Rehabilitation.
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"Drug Treatment Courts In An Evolving Magistracy" By Victor Roach, President, The Caribbean ICPA Bloc Member, The International Association of Drug Treatment CourtsThe OECS Biennial Magistrates Conference 2007
What is our Philosophical Base? Punishment or Rehabilitation
What if we JUST put them in PRISON? 29.9% of prisoners released in 1998 in 15 states were rearrested within 6 months and 67% are rearrested within 3 years. (BJS, 2002)
What if we JUST refer them to TREATMENT? Attrition • 50% to 67% don’t show for intake • 40% to 80% drop out in 3 months • 90% drop out in 12 months Outcomes • 40% to 60% of clients abstinent at 1 year (TRI, 2003)
The prison population in the US has • increased over 1,000% in the past 30+ years • 1970 200,000 prisoners • 1980 400,000 prisoners • 1984 800,000 prisoners • 1995 1,600,000 prisoners • 2,166,260 prisoners • 2004 2,186,230 prisoners
Drug Court/Team • Magistrate • Probation • Prosecution • Defense • Treatment/Counseling
Eligible Persons • Charged with drug offence • Facts/Antecedents show assistance needed • Appears drug-dependent • Other criteria
Ineligibility • Drug traffickers • Violent conduct/Sexual offences • Prescribed Offense
Preconditions • Person is eligible • Antecedents facilitate entry • Person informed and consents • Person accepts condition • Sentence suspended
Discharge • His request • Court Advice • Charged with other offences
Awards • Conferral of special privileges • Change in frequency of counseling/treatment • Decreased Supervision • Reduction in testing
Sanctions • Withdrawal of privilege • Change in treatment frequency • Increased supervision • Increased testing • Imprisonment • Change in Vocational/Social Services Attendance
Immunity No prosecution for • Admissions made for acceptance • Admissions in referral court • Admissions pursuant to supervision
Jurisdiction Magistrates in drug courts shall have all powers of a magistrate sitting in a criminal jurisdiction
Benefits of Drug Courts Drug Courts Increase Retention in Treatment
Benefits of Drug Court: Drug Courts Reduce Criminal Involvement
Benefits of Drug Court: Drug Courts Save Money
Judicial Council Appoints Task Force • Magistrate • Police • Chief Parliamentary Counsel • National Drug Council • Bar Association • Treatment • Registrar • Probation Service • Public Prosecution
Join the CADCP The Caribbean Association of Drug Court Professionals seeks to : • Reduce the impact of substance abuse • Advocate for drug courts • Share information • Provide training and support
Drug Court Conference Date May 28-31, 2008 Venue The Americas Center St. Louis Missouri, USA Deadline April 25, 2008 Fee $350.00 US before deadline
Commitment Don’t think that it will take other than a few committed persons to change the world, for that is the only thing that will. --Margaret Mead
Victor RoachMotivator, Counselor, LecturerPhone: (246) 421 3784Email : ncpadd@hotmail.com