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Drug Court Research | Criteria For Admission | Expectations of Offender Behavior | Expected Benefits| National Drug Courts Today
The drug court program operates in a free world setting that, at first look, would not be different from any other office or clinical setting. The facility can be located within a probation/parole office, or an outpatient clinic, or any other properly zoned and licensed property. Ease of access is a primary consideration and most programs are found in downtown or commercial settings. Hours of operation are structured to allow offenders to receive treatment during the early evenings or even on weekends. Non-traditional hours allow offenders to receive treatment and maintain employment.
Program staff generally consists of counselors with substance abuse specialization. Correctional staffs, such as probation/parole officers and social workers, are also part of the treatment team. Other specialized staff is used as appropriate for the needs of the offenders. Individual and group counseling is required. Treatment staff is familiar with community resources and refer offenders to such services as necessary. A heavy emphasis is placed on the offenders' involvement in 12-step or self help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Many drug court outpatient programs consist of tiers or phases. As the offender progresses through the different levels, the intensity of treatment and expectations of behavior changes.
The requirements for admission vary but can be summarized into three basic criteria:
- Alcohol or drug related conviction and/or the crime was committed under the influence or to support the abuse/addiction.
- The offender has no conditions that would preclude benefit from treatment.
- The offender has not been convicted of a violent offense and does not pose a substantial risk to society.
While in outpatient treatment, requirements are placed on the offenders. Progression through treatment and the successful completion of treatment are dependent on the offender complying with various requirements or expectations.
- No use of alcohol or other drugs as evidenced by negative drug screens. " Absence of criminal behavior."
- Gainful employment and/or enrollment in education/vocational training programs.
- Maintaining treatment contacts.
- Involvement in 12-Step or other self help groups.
- Other requirements as appropriate.
- Reduction in the demand for residential incarceration would free up prison beds for more serious offenders.
- Outpatient drug court programs are less intensive and require fewer security considerations. Since the outpatient units can be established in less secure facilities, such as traditional office/clinical settings, there is a reduction in costs associated with high security, twenty-four hour, operations.
- Since the outpatient treatment requires that offenders maintain productive employment, offenders are revenue generators rather than revenue users.
- Drug court treatment places a heavy emphasis on the offender using community based resources rather than services provided by the correctional system. This promotes the offender to learn how to function in an open society.
- Offenders are motivated to affect positive life changes through rewards ranging from the elimination of incarceration to the "sealing" of the criminal history.
For more information on the Drug Court Program please check out:
NADCP - National Association of Drug Court Professionals
ONDCP - Office on National Drug Control Policy
As of July 1,2006
547 Adult Drug Courts
245 Juvenile Drug Courts
59 Family Drug Courts
14 Combination Drug Courts
441 Drug Courts in Planning Process
300,000+ Adults, 12,500 Juveniles Enrolled in Drug Courts to Date
73,000 Adult, 4,000 Juvenile Graduates
70% Retention Rate
75% Previously Incarcerated
1,000 Drug Free Babies Born
3,500 Parents who Regained Custody of Children
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