What is a Drug Treatment Court
The Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 to 2028 describes drug treatment courts as specialized judicial platforms that offer individuals the chance to undergo long-term drug treatment with court supervision instead of serving jail or prison sentences. Participants who successfully complete the program may have their criminal offenses dismissed or expunged. However, those who fail to complete the program will have their cases handled by the conventional justice system.
Types of Treatment Courts
According to the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 to 2028, the first treatment court was established in Miami, US, in 1989 to address the frequent re-incarceration of individuals due to drug addiction. Currently, more than 4000 drug treatment courts operate across the US, as per the National Treatment Court Resource Centre (NTCRC). Adult treatment courts form about half of all treatment courts in the US. In 1995, the first juvenile drug treatment court was launched in Visalia, California, targeting youth with substance use disorders involved in the juvenile justice system. These courts, managed by multi-disciplinary teams, ensure participants receive treatment services, employment assistance, and comply with court conditions. Teams typically include a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, community corrections officer, social workers, and a treatment professional. In some cases, a police officer may also be involved. A case coordinator closely consults with the judge to oversee the team and case.
Who Will Run the Courts
The Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 to 2028 proposes creating a drug court coordinating board comprising judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, and treatment representatives. This board will oversee drug court cases, develop and pilot a suitable treatment framework, monitor cases, and establish screening criteria to determine eligible criminal offenses and offender requirements. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of specific training for staff involved in drug court proceedings.
Benefits of Treatment Courts
The primary aim of drug treatment courts is to treat addiction as a chronic disease affecting behavior and impulse control, rather than to punish individuals. The Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 to 2028 highlights that these courts are the most researched criminal justice intervention in the US, with findings from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) indicating that treatment courts reduce recidivism and drug use among participants. NIJ’s Multisite Adult Drug Court Evaluation revealed that treatment court participants were less likely than a comparison group to report committing crimes or using drugs in the prior year.
Drug Treatment Courts Internationally
Although the drug treatment court model originated in the US, the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 to 2028 points to valuable research and case studies from other countries. Understanding the global implementation of drug treatment courts can offer insights into the interplay of cultural influences on justice and rehabilitation. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) endorses drug treatment courts as an effective intervention for individuals with drug use disorders in the criminal or juvenile justice systems. The strategy mentions that at least fourteen nations, including Norway, Ireland, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Australia, have established drug treatment courts.