NCJ Number
144032
Date Published
1993
Length
25 pages
Annotation
The purpose of the STOP (Sanction-Treatment- Opportunity-Progress) Drug Diversion Program is to reduce the number of drug-related crimes committed in Multnomah County, Oregon, and their costs to the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Prior to implementation of the STOP Program in 1991, most drug defendants were not ordered into treatment until criminal charges had been adjudicated. This usually occurred 4 to 5 months after arrest, and many defendants reoffended by continuing drug use and committing new property crimes while waiting for adjudicating of their criminal charges. The STOP Program represents a court-managed drug intervention program designed to provide early treatment and a cost-effective alternative to traditional criminal case processing. Treatment starts the first day of the court hearing and consists of drug education, group counseling, acupuncture, and random urinalysis. Drug defendants must be in treatment over a 1-year period and are prohibited from associating with drug users or possessors. Defendants who successfully complete STOP will have their criminal indictment dismissed with prejudice. Between August 1991 and January 1993, 944 cases were diverted from regular court drug dockets and 746 from parole and probation caseloads. Between September 1992 and April 1993, 142 clients successfully completed the program. Cost savings attributed to STOP over the evaluation period totaled $232,244 for indigent defense, $139,236 for police overtime, and $150,000 for community corrections. Program clients are 75 percent male and 59 percent white, 27 percent black, and 11 percent Hispanic; 57 percent are unemployed and 36 percent are employed full-time. Criteria for participation in the STOP Program are listed, and program operations are detailed. Appendixes provide supplemental data on case disposition and on STOP funding and management.