Drug courts: a primer for the family physician

Drug courts are a judicial response to drug-related crimes. They combine the coercive powers of the judiciary with drug treatment. This article is intended to familiarize physicians with the reasons why drug courts exist, what they are, and how physicians can assist their patients who are clients of a drug court.

Methods for this article are based upon personal experience and a search of the literature using the key words "drug rehabilitation," "drug abuse," and "criminal justice system."

Using a three-phase approach, drug courts emphasize urine drug testing, rapid punishment for specific infractions, and therapeutic interventions. Drug courts have greatly reduced criminal and drug-using recidivism.

Drug courts are effective in resolving the criminal and drug-using behaviors in drug-only, nonviolent offenders. Family physicians can become involved in the drug court process by providing treatment for patients with both drug addiction and mental health diagnoses. In addition, as patients withdraw from drugs, it is important to treat withdrawal symptoms to prevent recidivism and encourage participation in the program.