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2004
 

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Drug addicts given a second chance at life

Drug courts are a growing trend in law enforcement that assist convicted addicts in learning to live more responsibly in society.

By KATHYRN HERR

Reporting

Spring 2004

HARRISBURG Pa – Drug addicts convicted of a drug related crime can now choose to serve their sentence through intense drug addiction treatment, community service, and obedience with court ordered instructions.  Drug courts are a growing trend in law enforcement that assist convicted addicts in learning to live more responsibly in society.  

There are about 697 operating drug courts in the U.S. , which have reported 74,000 graduates as of June 2001.  Participants vary in age from teenagers to adults old enough to be grandparents.  Pennsylvania Prison Society national statistics show 34 percent of participants are 26 to 35-years-old and 27 percent are 36 to 45-years-old. 

The goal of the York County, SC Drug Treatment Court is “to graduate a clean and sober, responsible, productive and employed member of our community.”  Those who choose to enroll in drug courts are given intensive treatment for their addiction through medical treatment, counseling, meetings, weekly court appearances, and weekly drug tests. 

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has defined drug courts as having ten key components.  These components include actions taken by law enforcement, and the individuals enrolled in drug court.  One component is early detection of candidates.  By acknowledging the needs of the individual before they enter the revolving door at the jailhouse, they can get the treatment they need to stop using drugs.

Another component is integrated services and access to these services.  This means using diverse treatments tailored to the individual’s needs.  Monitoring and evaluation of treatment is necessary to track the progress of the individual and to assure compliance with the program. All ten are combined to help the individual regain control of their lives. 

Candidates must first apply for admission in drug court.  Upon approval the individual pleads guilty to the charges against him or her.  In exchange for successful completion of the drug court program, charges may be deferred, lessened or dismissed.

The drug court procedure requires many parties to become involved.  A judge oversees the case and orders the individual’s specific treatments.  The judge also makes decisions about progress or regression and reacts accordingly to the actions of the individual.  The district attorney must be present for all court appearances to make sure the individual is meeting all requirements to continue out-patient treatment.  A defense lawyer must also be present to protect the rights of the individual.  The parole officer reports the progress or regression to the judge and oversees the weekly actions of the individual that relate to drug court compliance. 

Some participants may on occasion test positive for drug use.  Because each drug court program is somewhat different, some will tolerate relapse and for others relapse is grounds for dismissal from the program.  Janice Gillespie, programs manager of the York County, SC treatment court said “relapse is part of recovery.”  She went on to say that some of the participants are entered into an in-patient program for a period until they are better suited to deal with their addiction. 

The Lancaster Freedom Center is a drug treatment center that offers a variety of counseling services.  While Lancaster does not have a drug court yet, the Freedom Center is well prepared to participate when they do have one.  The Freedom Center has an intensive out-patient drug treatment program.  Patients must go to the Freedom Center for four counseling meetings per week.  One day is a one hour individual counseling session and the other three days are two hour group therapy meetings.  The counselors at the Freedom Center are already familiar with reporting progress to a parole officer or judge and say they will defiantly participate in a drug court program if one is put in Lancaster .

Participants also receive additional services such as education, vocational training, and employment for a better chance at success.  National treatment court statistics from the Pennsylvania Prison Society index shows 78 percent of drug court graduates retained or obtained employment through drug court graduation.  In addition, 21 percent obtained a high school diploma or GED during or after enrollment in drug court and 26 percent enrolled in college or vocational training.  Gillespie reported having one graduate currently doing well in college and another working to obtain a contractors license since their graduation from the drug court program. 

Pennsylvania Prison Society statistics show that 75 percent of participants were parents of minor children. Only 40 percent had all of their minor children living with them when they entered the drug court program.  However, after the program, 35,000 parents were able to regain custody of their children after drug court graduation. 

Another positive effect of drug court participation is the possibility to free up prison beds and cut incarceration costs.  “While drug court is expensive it is much cheaper than incarceration and is more beneficial for the community” said Gillespie. According to Reginald Fluellen and Jennifer Trone of the Vera Institute of Justice, immediate actions that are taken by law enforcement and various drug court programs show that individuals spend less time in jail awaiting trial or sentencing.  This alone cuts prison costs even if the individual returns to jail later.  Their research also shows a possible drop in repeat arrests for those graduating from drug court programs. 

All stories in this magazine are the intellectual property of the individual authors.

You may email comments about this story to: kah928@psu.edu