NCJ Number
180367
Journal
Child Law Pratice Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 1-16
Editor(s)
Claire Sandt
Date Published
1999
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the potential of family drug courts to help abused and neglected children of substance abusers.
Abstract
Family drug courts address the needs of families involved in the child welfare system where parental substance abuse is a factor. Under the supervision of a judge, family drug courts offer intensive drug treatment intervention and supportive services, within a structure of sanctions. Although the court processes may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, family drug courts generally share the following characteristics: (1) judicial leadership; (2) goal of reunification; (3) intensive treatment services; (4) interdisciplinary team involvement; (5) early identification and eligibility; (6) ongoing monitoring of progress; (7) parent rehabilitation; (8) agreement to program conditions; (9) sanctions and incentives to ensure compliance; (10) program completion and follow-up; and (11) reunification following successful completion. The article evaluates the successes of family drug courts, discusses some of the barriers to their use and provides guidelines on starting a family drug court. Resources, notes