NCJ Number
197833
Journal
Offender Programs Report Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: September/October 2002 Pages: 33-34,40,42
Editor(s)
Russ Immarigeon M.S.W
Date Published
September 2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article explores the challenges faced by drug courts as they mature from their initial implementation to a more institutionalized role in the criminal justice system from the perspective of an advocate for criminal justice reforms.
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the role of drug courts in the United States and the challenges facing drug courts to not only adjudicate and sentence drug offenders but to link criminal justice processes to drug treatment promoting recovery from drug addiction. The challenges faced range from how drug courts do or do not take on the Achilles heel of the American criminal justice system and are able to sustain their operations over the long-term and address issues of long-term reintegration of drug court graduates into communities. The article discusses: (1) the challenge of the drug courts investing more of its political and financial capital in reducing reliance on incarceration for drug offenders and tackle the issue of drug courts as an alternative to incarceration; (2) the challenge of institutionalization and the response and role of the drug court judge to retain integrity and relying more upon caring and accountability; and (3) the challenge of drug courts to understand where the court’s role starts and stops in regards to long-term recovery and social reintegration. Drug Courts exist in diverse jurisdictions across the United States and hold out the promise of more appropriate dispositions for persons with substance abuse problems. To achieve more appropriate dispositions changes require the sacrifice of distinguishing characteristics of the American jurisprudence system, specifically procedural rights. References