Do Drug Courts Work?
Drug courts are proven to be more successful than traditional court processes. The following statistics attest to the effectiveness of this program: • Statistical evidence and research supports the proposition that drug courts reduce criminal activity. For example, a study conducted in 1998 by the University of Utah’s School of Social Work revealed that recidivism rates for local drug court graduates remained at a steady seven percent. In contrast, the US Justice Department estimates that approximately 45 percent of offenders convicted of similar charges but whom have not participated in drug court will relapse and commit another crime. This recidivism rate is even higher, at 60 percent, for offenders imprisoned for their convictions. • Drug courts additionally work by saving tax-dollars. For example, drug court treatment for one offender costs approximately seven dollars per day. This is compared to the $50 dollar a day cost of incarcerating one individual in a state prison. Additiona
Yes. Research by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse shows that: • Drug courts provide more comprehensive and closer supervision of the drug-using offender than other forms of community supervision. • Drug use and criminal behavior are substantially reduced while clients are participating in drug court programs. • Criminal behavior is lower after program participation, especially for drug court graduates. • Drug Courts generate cost savings, at least in the short term, from reduced incarceration, reduced criminality and lower criminal justice system costs. • Drug Courts have been successful in bridging the gap between the court and the treatment and public health systems and in spurring greater cooperation among the various agencies and personnel within the criminal justice system, as well as between the criminal justice system and the community. In an evaluation of the effectiveness of drug courts as compared to traditional judicial procedures, the Drug Court Clearing
