What is a drug court?

1. What is a drug court? A unique partnership among: the Judiciary Drug Treatment Professionals DA’s Public Defenders, Probation Corrections Law Enforcement Aimed at a reduction in alcohol and drug use and criminal activity. Completely altering the Criminal Justice Landscape for substance-abusing offenders.

2. The First Steps • The “war on drugs” began in the mid-80’s • Expanded the scope of drug laws • Enacted stiffer penalties for drug offenses • Many carried mandatory minimum prison sentences • Additional laws increased penalties for the trafficking and use of drugs. • Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 • Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 & 1988 • These laws choked court dockets with first time as well as recidivating offenders. • According to the National Institute of Justice Drug Use Forecasting report (1995) 51% - 83% of males, 41% - 84% of females arrested tested positive for drug(s). • Cases were being processed without any treatment intervention • In an effort to impact this “revolving door” phenomenon of arrest and recidivism the first Drug Court was started in Miami Florida in 1989 by then District Attorney Janet Reno and Judge Stanley Goldstein. Sources: Fulton-Hora, Peggy; Schma, William G.; & Rosenthal, John Notre Dame Law Review Jan. 1999 Drug Courts Program Office website www.ojp.usdoj.gov/dcpo/

3. The Drug Court Movement • The drug court model of case processing was slowly accepted by other jurisdictions • In 1994 Congress enacted the Crime Act establishing the Drug Courts Program Office in the Department of Justice to provide: • Financial support ($45 million to 270 jurisdictions from ’95- ’97) • Technical assistance • Training • Program guidance • In 1996 the number of drug court nationally had grown to 125 in 45 states • In 1997 there were 325 courts in operation in 48 states Source: Drug Courts Program Office website www.ojp.usdoj.gov/dcpo/

4. Today there are over 700 drug courts operating • Drug courts have expanded to offer specialized treatment in • Tribal jurisdictions • Juvenile offenders • Families at risk of action by child protection agencies due to drug use. • Combined issues • In 1996 the National Association of Drug Court Professionals formed a task force to develop standards for drug court practice • In January of 1997 through cooperation of the Department of Justice, Drug Courts Program Office, and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals the 10 Key Components of Drug Courts were released.

5. 10 Key Components of a Drug Court • Drug Courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with the justice system case processing • Using a nonadversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants due process rights. • Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program • Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and related treatment and rehabilitation services. • Abstinence is monitored by frequent random alcohol and other drug testing. • A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants’ compliance. • Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential. • Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness. • Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations. • Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court program effectiveness.

6. Do Drug Courts Work? • According to the American University Drug Court Clearinghouse: drug courts have treated 100,000 offenders since their creation • 71% of those individuals successfully completed or are actively (Government Accounting Office) • Nationally costs for incarcerating an offender are between $20,000 & 50,000 per person per year • Construction of a prison cell can be as much as $80,000 • Treatment through a drug court program costs approximately $2,500 per person per year Source: National Association of Drug Court Professionals website www.nadcp.org

7. Drug Court Web Resources www.samhsa.gov/csapCenter for Cubstance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.samhsa.gov/csatCenter for Substance Abuse Treatment www.american.edu/justiceDrug Court Clearinghouse/ American University www.ojp.usdoj.gov/dcpoDrug Court Programs Office www.naadac.orgNational Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors www.casacolumbia.orgNational Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University www.health.orgNational Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information www.drugcourtinstitute.orgNational Drug Court Institute www.nadcp.orgNational Association of Drug Court Professionals www.ladco.orgLouisiana Association of Drug Court Professionals www.drugcourt.comFairview Treatment Center (St. Mary Parish Drug Courts)