NCJ Number
159804
Date Published
1995
Length
110 pages
Annotation
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court initiated a substance abuse task force in 1993 to develop and implement a coordinated substance abuse effort in the Massachusetts court system.
Abstract
The task force divided into subcommittees to develop findings and recommendations for the future work of Massachusetts courts. Seminars on substance abuse and the courts were presented throughout the State to disseminate information about the identification and treatment of substance abuse and to help local courts establish working relationships with community-based substance abuse treatment providers. The task force also directed its attention to formulating long-range recommendations on substance abuse and the courts. Current efforts in Massachusetts courts to address substance abuse issues are reviewed, with particular attention paid to adult criminal cases, juvenile courts, probate and family courts, housing courts, and civil commitments. Potential obstacles to the implementation of substance abuse prevention and treatment programs are examined. Appendixes contain further information on the substance abuse treatment seminars, research on the incidence of substance abuse among court populations, and a summary of the task force evaluation. References, footnotes, and figures