NCJ Number
220811
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2007 Pages: 418-433
Date Published
December 2007
Length
16 pages
Annotation
With the decline of Federal funding, this article delineates the three basic models (executive branch, judicial, and collaborative) that have emerged for funding and management of drug court programs at the State level.
Abstract
Each model in the administration of State drug court programs has its separate strengths that may be suitable in different situations. Executive branch models provide strong support and oversight for the treatment and supervision components of drug courts while creating some philosophical and practical concerns about separation of powers. Judicial models partially resolve these issues and provide legitimacy for programs but often lack program management capability and expertise for nonjudicial components such as substance abuse treatment. The States that have been successful in maintaining satisfactory administrative control of programs over time tend to employ models that, like local programs, provide collaboration at the highest levels. If State administration of drug courts are viewed as a continuum, with fully judicial models on one side and fully executive models on the other, those in the middle tend to be the most successful. This does not mean that States must completely embrace the collaborative model, but simply a collaborative approach. Although drug courts are local programs, many were established using Federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Justice. As these Federal grants run their course and overall Federal funding for drug courts declines, drug court programs are increasingly relying on State funding for long-term sustainability. This article explores the modalities commonly used for managing drug court programs. It delineates the three basic models that have emerged for funding and management of these programs on the State level. References