NCJ Number
243267
Date Published
2013
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This study provides education and practice pointers for the benefit of Drug Court professionals, participants, and their communities.
Abstract
This first volume of two provides the best practice standards for adult Drug Courts. Topics discussed in this volume are related to: 1) target population - which examines and ensures that eligibility and exclusion criteria for the Drug Court are predicated on empirical evidence indicating which types of offenders can be treated safely and effectively in Drug Courts; 2) historically disadvantaged citizens who have experienced sustained discrimination or reduced social opportunities because of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, physical or mental disability, religion, or socioeconomic status and should receive the same opportunities to participate and succeed in the Drug Court; 3) the roles and responsibilities of the Drug Court judge including staying abreast of current law and research on best practices in Drug Courts, participating regularly in team meetings, interacting frequently and respectfully with participants, and giving due consideration to the input of other team members; 4) incentives, sanctions, and therapeutic adjustments to ensure consequences for participants' behavior are predictable, fair, consistent, and administered in accordance with evidence-based principles of effective behavior modification; and 5) substance abuse treatment practices where participants receive substance abuse treatment based on a standardized assessment of their treatment needs.