NCJ Number
167194
Editor(s)
J Bronstad,
B Huntington
Date Published
1997
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This planning guide outlines a step-by-step sequence of events and achievable goals related to treatment-based drug courts.
Abstract
Treatment-based drug courts offer an innovative alternative to traditional methods of managing drug cases by providing eligible defendants with treatment and other social services under close judicial scrutiny. These courts hold defendants who volunteer to participate in a treatment-based drug court regimen responsible and accountable for their behavior and performance. Although all treatment-based drug court programs share common characteristics, no two programs are exactly alike. Common elements include rapid intervention, immediate treatment access, a systematic and coordinated approach, judicial leadership, frequent and direct contact with the drug court judge, and the use of incentives and sanctions. Procedures to guide the planning and design of treatment-based drug court programs are detailed according to the following sections: getting started, designing the program, incorporating treatment, securing sources of funding, starting up the program, monitoring and evaluation, public relations, and managing information.