Therapeutic Justice: The Efficacy of the Drug Court Movement in Georgia

• NCJ Number: 200527
• Author(s): Nolan E. Martin
• Date Published: May 2002
• Length: 86 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Institute for Court Management
• Corporate Author: Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
• Sale Source: Institute for Court Management
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report focuses primarily on the drug treatment court (DTC) movement in Georgia and seeks to determine the effectiveness of the DTC movement in Georgia compared to national findings and standards.

Abstract

Judicial systems across the country have experimented with drug courts for more than a decade as part of a larger therapeutic jurisprudence movement. On a limited basis, Georgia has established this approach addressing addiction through long-term education and treatment. This report identifies existing drug courts in Georgia providing a description of them and determines the effectiveness of Georgia’s drug court movement. The paper begins by defining and describing therapeutic jurisprudence, the history of drug courts, and a history of drug courts in Georgia consistent with the literature review. It continues by describing the methodology used to survey judges, court administrators, and drug court professionals throughout the State. The survey provides for a description and analysis of existing drug courts in Georgia, perceptions reflecting respondents knowledge of drug addiction issues and drug treatment options, an analysis of fiscal issues regarding existing and planned drug treatment courts (DTCs), the effectiveness of existing drug courts in Georgia, an examination of planned/future drug courts and an evaluation of these DTCs. The final section examines obstacles which may prevent state-wide development of DTCs which includes the lack of legislation authorizing the formation of drug courts and establishing drug courts as a remedy for drug and drug related crime. The older and more well-established DTCs demonstrated considerable success with above average retention rates, reduced drug use by participants, cost savings compared with traditional prosecution, and lower recidivism. These findings are consistent with national studies of DTCs. The Georgia judiciary demonstrates strong support for the implementation of drug courts. However, DTCs are but one ingredient in the prescription for drug treatment and prevention. Charts, graphs, and appendix