Are Drug Courts cost effective?
The treatment programs used by Drug Courts are relatively inexpensive when compared to incarceration costs. While studies are ongoing, the California Drug and Alcohol Treatment Assessment estimates a cost of less than $8 per day for outpatient treatment, compared to estimates of $86 per day for incarceration (Incarceration costs in Blue Earth County are $52/day). In addition, the savings to the community can be significant, including a reduction of property crimes, reduced public health costs, and a decline in out-of-home placements for children with parents addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. Dallas estimates that $9.43 is saved for every $1.00 spent on drug court, and Oregon projects a $10.00 savings for every $1.00 spent. Are Drug Courts effective in reducing crime? A recent national study conducted by the Urban Institute — a non-partisan economic and social policy research organization in Washington, D.C. — concludes that 84 percent of drug court participants did not have any crimi
