Primer: Drug Courts
Drug courts are an alternative to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders. Typically, a drug court participant pleads guilty, but instead of serving time in a correction institution, is subject to court-ordered monitoring and treatment. Violating the terms of the monitoring and treatment program can result in a variety of punishments, including community service and jail time. The entire process is overseen by a judge.
Although drug courts have been in existence for just 20 years, the benefits of treating some offenders via the drug court alternative are already well documented. According to the Department of Justice, “more than two-third of participants who begin treatment through a drug court complete it in a year or more – a sixfold increase in retention compared with programs outside the justice system.” Another notable advantage of utilizing drug courts is freeing up courts and corrections facilities for the prosecution of violent offenders.
Drug Court Key Components:
1. Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing
2. Using a nonadversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants’ due process rights
3. Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program
4. Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and other related treatment and rehabilitation services
5. Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing
6. A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants’ compliance
7. Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential
8. Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness
9. Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations
10. Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court effectiveness
Sources:
1. National Institute of Justice, 2000 Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring: Annual Report, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, 2003 (NCJ 193013).