NCJ Number
199379
Journal
Offender Programs Report Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: July/August 2002 Pages: 19-20,31,32
Editor(s)
Russ Immarigeon M.S.W
Date Published
July 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article provides a brief overview of participants and the current trends in America’s drug court programs.
Abstract
Today, over 225,000 individuals are enrolled and participate in American drug courts with significantly more males than females enrolled in the programs. Participant success is difficult to predict. However, the prognosis of those involved in drug court programs indicates that participants with lengthy criminal histories and years of substance abuse frequently succeed while those with less serious records sometimes do not. This article offers a description of those clients involved in drug court programs across the United States that includes: gender, age, marital status, racial/ethnic background, military status, drug use history, educational status, employment status, and children of participants. An overview of the current trends in American drug court programs includes: (1) the impact of drug courts; (2) applying drug court concepts to juvenile and family matters; (3) reaching defendants who need the drug court; (4) services to participants with mental health conditions; (5) determining actual program costs; (6) institutionalization; and (7) future challenges promoting the long-term viability of drug court programs.