NCJ Number
169767
Date Published
1998
Length
16 pages
Annotation
These reports summarize the nature and activities of drug courts and explain the Drug Court Clearinghouse and Technical Assistance Project sponsored by the United States Department of Justice.
Abstract
More than 150 drug court programs currently operate in 38 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and one Federal district. At least 175 more programs are planned or about to be implemented in Guam and 10 additional States, including several Native American Indian tribal courts. Most courts initially focused on first offenders. Increasingly, courts are targeting more serious offenders. Drug court programs recognize that drug addiction is a chronic and recurring disorder and thus maintain continuous supervision over each participant's recovery process. Programs report high participant retention rates and have achieved significant cost savings. They also benefit offenders' families, children, prosecutors, and police. The adult drug court model is also being adapted for juvenile and family matters. The Drug Court Clearinghouse and Technical Assistance Project offers technical assistance, networking among jurisdictions and experts, program documentation and resource compilation, and information dissemination. Tables