Nexus Between Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program Integrity and Drug Court Effectiveness: Policy Recommendations for Pursuing Success

• NCJ Number: 220267
• Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 226-245
• Author(s): Faith E. Lutze; Jacqueline G. van Wormer
• Date Published: September 2007
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After drawing attention to the connection between the effectiveness of the drug court criminal justice process and the integrity of the treatment modalities to which drug court clients are referred, this article offers recommendations for drug court professionals in ensuring the integrity of the treatment programs used by the court.

Abstract

The distinctiveness and ultimate effectiveness of the drug court model is its reliance upon substance abuse treatment rather than punitive sentencing as a means of preventing or reducing reoffending. This requires that the treatment programs used by drug courts be regularly assessed for their effectiveness in treating clients with diverse needs and characteristics according to gender, cultural background, and mental disorders. This effort may be compromised by staff turnover on the drug court team and failure to provide continuing education for staff on the mission, philosophy, and treatment modalities that drive the drug court model. Because of staff turnover and failure to provide adequate training for new staff, drug courts may drift away from their original mission. In order to prevent deterioration of the drug court model, Federal agencies must move beyond drug court implementation to the technology transfer that is required to support evidence-based substance-abuse treatment. Also, drug court teams must be schooled in evidence-based treatment efforts and ensure that their treatment providers are engaged in such efforts. Further, drug courts must embrace medical technology and findings by adopting a biobehavioral or "brain disease" model of substance addiction. In addition, treatment providers must improve the structural weakness of operations that directly influence treatment integrity. Finally, interagency collaborations must be effectively managed in order to provide a continuum of care in which the process itself does not undermine treatment methods and goals. 72 references