The Solution

Therapy and Support

In September of 2003, Harris County established the STAR Drug Court program. Designed to provide non-violent, repeat, drug-dependent offenders with an alternative to jail, STAR has a proven track record for reducing the number of repeat offenders. Besides offering substance abuse counseling, the program provides critical drug court clients with recovery support services, including, but not limited to life skills training. These life skills may be as basic as personal hygiene, and anger management or as complicated as parenting classes or assistance with establishing household budgets. STAR also helps connect clients with various agencies and organizations that are willing to provide a wide range of practical assistance, such as GED classes, employment counseling, vocational training, transportation, childcare, mental health services, or transitional living.

The Target Group

Nearly 100% of the current STAR clients have been assessed as "high needs" individuals because of their substance abuse and criminal histories. Often indigent, living in unstable or dangerous environments, and in need of long-term intervention, "high needs" clients are especially prone to relapse. Initially referred to a residential facility for treatment, some clients attend a standard residential treatment program for 90 days, while others may be directed toward a facility offering a more intensive initial 30 to 35 days followed by 60 days of standard residential treatment. Once a client completes a residential program, they receive months of follow up outpatient treatment services and then lengthy aftercare services.

Supervision and Monitoring - Case Managers

Specially trained case managers have the responsibility of supervising and monitoring all drug court clients' treatment progress. Case managers are also charged with overseeing the clients' progress with regard to the following: attendance at 12 Step or other approved support groups; adherence to court imposed sanctions; maintenance of employment, urinalysis results, and paying fees. As the client's "shepherd," the case manager's finger is on the pulse of the client's current and future needs and can readily put the client in contact with the appropriate organization or department to address those needs. Carrying a case load of no more that 45 clients at any given time, the case manager is able to provide nearly one-on-one assistance to STAR clients.

Supervision and Monitoring - The Drug Court Team

Working with the case manager is the drug court team. Consisting of a judge, a prosecutor, a defense attorney, program manager, and a social services consultant, this team assesses the client's progress and determines appropriate action. Before each court session, drug court team members discuss each participant since their last court appearance. This discussion will include, but not be limited to the client's compliance with the program, attendance and participation in treatment, personal issues in their lives - and what the court's response will be. The STAR judge is the final authority in any dispute, and any differences among the team members concerning a client's supervision are worked out prior to the status hearing. Team actions are presented as decisions of the entire drug court team.

Supervision and Monitoring - Judicial Oversight

Meeting weekly, the team is able to immediately address any problems with or developments in a client's treatment. Accordingly, the court responds immediately to sanction clients who are in violation of program requirements or recognize and reward clients who perform well. When a client is sanctioned, he /she may be ordered to attend additional support group meetings, submit to more frequent drug testing and court sessions or to spend time in jail. Clients in compliance with program directives may be rewarded by promotion to the next phase, become eligible for a door prize drawing, or awarded sobriety tokens. A client's ultimate reward for success in the program is graduation and a successful discharge from supervision with no final conviction.