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Introduction: Progress and issues in drug treatment courts
Lana D Harrison1, Frank R Scarpitti
1Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, University of Delaware, 77 E. Main St., Newark, DE 19716, USA. lharriso@udel.edu
Substance Use & Misuse
|December 19, 2002
Summary
Drug treatment courts, established in 1989, address drug offenses. This review examines their growth in the US and internationally, focusing on evaluation research and unresolved issues.
Area of Science:
- Criminal Justice
- Public Health
- Substance Abuse Treatment
Background:
- Drug treatment courts emerged in 1989 to manage court case backlogs for drug possession and trafficking.
- By 2001, over 700 drug treatment courts were operational in the U.S., with 400 more planned.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the expansion of drug treatment courts in the United States.
- To examine the development of these courts in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
- To focus on evaluation research and identify critical unresolved issues.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and evaluation research on drug treatment courts.
- Comparative analysis of drug treatment court development across different countries.
Main Results:
- Significant growth in drug treatment courts across the United States since their inception.
- Examination of international development in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
- Identification of key challenges and unresolved issues through evaluation research.
Conclusions:
- Drug treatment courts have expanded considerably, offering an alternative judicial approach.
- International adoption indicates a global trend towards therapeutic jurisprudence.
- Further research is needed to address persistent challenges and optimize program effectiveness.