Experience with family drug courts in three cities

The purpose of the study was to describe the following components of specialized Family Drug Courts: (1) children under court supervision; (2) parent(s) named in the petition; (3) services provided and court actions taken; and (4) relapse rates. Data were collected from the court records of 65 families in three courts in Florida, Kansas, and New York. Courts differed in type of clients, sanctions used, and length of time required between drug testing. Drug testing frequency varied depending on the parent's recovery and cooperation. Test results indicated a decline in drug use in the first four months and an increased risk for relapse between the 15th and 19th weeks. Specialized Family Drug Courts show promise for an improved way to address child abuse and neglect involving parental substance use. They can also provide a unique clinical training experience for health professionals.