NCJ Number
193403
Date Published
April 2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report presents the perspectives of drug court participants in six American drug courts.
Abstract
In the design and operation of drug courts around the country, certain assumptions have been made about drug courts and their participants, such as assumptions about the role of the courtroom, drug testing, and the use of sanctions. This study employed a focus group method to evaluate the experiences of drug court participants. Twelve focus groups were convened at 6 sites with nearly 150 drug court participants. Participants discussed their drug histories and motivations for entering drug court, the courtroom experience, the treatment experience, use of drugs and crime during treatment, and recommendations for improving drug courts. The findings are presented in juxtaposition to the common assumptions made about drug courts and include the observation that drug courts are effective at drug treatment because of judicial supervision and closely coordinated treatments. However, most drug court participants do not enter drug court for its treatment aspect, but rather to avoid a sentence of incarceration. Many participants credited the judge’s hands-on style of supervision as effective, yet many participants also noted that drug use and crime engagement were not uncommon among drug court participants. Suggestions to improve drug courts include enhanced drug testing, employment assistance, and after-hours telephone hotlines. Note