NCJ Number
211421
Date Published
2005
Length
108 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from the implementation, operation, and outcome evaluation of the North Queensland Drug Court pilot program, which began operations in 2002 in Australia.
Abstract
The goal of the North Queensland Drug Court pilot program was to identify high-volume property or drug offenders whose offenses could be attributed to drug dependence and divert these offenders into treatment rather than prison. By the end of December 2004, 243 offenders had been referred to the pilot program for assessment; 49 percent of these offenders were issued an Intensive Drug Rehabilitation Order (IDRO) while 51 percent were not admitted to the program. Of those issued an IDRO, 41 were active participants and 24 had graduated from the program. Interviews with drug court team members and participants indicated that referral rates were lower than expected and that more frequent psychological and mental health assessments were needed for assessing offender motivation and willingness to participate in the program. Operational issues needing improvement include the limited provision of after-hours supervision and treatment services and the lack of close proximity of residential and non-residential treatment services to areas frequented by drug users. Drug court outcomes revealed that the rate of re-offending was significantly reduced among program participants who successfully completed the program. Additionally, graduates of the program reported significant improvements in physical and mental health measures. Finally, qualitative interviews with participants highlighted the importance of family relationships in the reduction of re-offending, suggesting the need for relationship counseling services for participants and their families. Tables, figures, references