The Promise

THE PROMISE OF DRUG COURTS NATIONALLY

Nationally, there are 1500 drug courts in the operational and planning phases.

Another 414 drug court programs are in the planning stages.

Results of the drug court approach:

• 67% retention rate
• 65% of the participants have been previously incarcerated
• 2,100+ drug free babies born
• 3,500+ parents regained custody of children
• 4,500+ re-engaged in child support payments
• 98% retained or obtained employment

Cost Benefit:

Drug courts generate cost savings

• Dallas, Texas: $9.43 savings for every $1 spent
• Oregon: $10 savings for every $1 spent
• California: $4 for every $1 invested in drug treatment.
  Total savings: $800 million over 5 years.

Unlike traditional treatment programs, becoming "clean and sober" is only the first step toward graduating from drug court. Almost all require employment, being current in financial obligations, such as child support payments, having a sponsor in the community, community service, life skills training, GED certificates, exposure to new aspects in the community.

Although there are strong correlations between drug abuse and other attributes of social dysfunction exhibited by drug users, such as poor reading skills, dysfunctional family relationships and low self esteem, most courts do not address these problems when sentencing drug-using offenders. In contrast, a fundamental premise of drug court requires not only well-structured treatment services, but coordinated and comprehensive programs of rehabilitation services to address the underlying personal problems of the drug user and promote his/her long-term re-entry into society.

According to a 2003 national study, which followed 2,000+ graduates from 100 drug courts, the recidivism rate was 27.5% two years after graduation. The recidivism rate for offenders simply imprisoned is 58.6%.

http://www.ndci.org/ (National Drug Court Institute)
http://www.nadcp.org/ (National Association of Drug Court Professionals)