What is a Drug Court?

Drug courts are specialized courts responsible for providing supervision and treatment programs for drug-using offenders. The programs include frequent drug testing, judicial and probation supervision, individual, group and family counseling, drug abuse treatment, educational opportunities, employment requirements, and the use of sanctions and incentives. The Judge has more involvement in supervising drug court offenders than just placing an individual in a probationary or diversionary program for drug treatment.
 
The philosophy of the program is that by using appropriate adaptive mechanisms, building coalitions around the resources of family, friends, community and treatment, and structuring a suitable recovery environment, most people will be capable of living free from abuse of or dependency on alcohol or other drugs. Utilization of group, individual and family therapy, drug testing, court appearances and case management in a structured and disciplined environment are all strategies of the program. Unique partnerships among the Judge, County Attorney, Probation Officers, Law Enforcement, Treatment Providers, and the community help effectuate changes not only with the individuals, but the community as a whole.

 

Listen to this December 2005 report from NPR about what some communities are doing to better serve juveniles in their court system: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5069717

2005 Drug Court Evaluation Report