NCJ Number
200523
Date Published
2003
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This audiovisual provides an overview of an innovative alternative in the rehabilitation of repeat drug offenders, the Salt Lake County Drug Court in Utah.
Abstract
In 1996, the first drug court was established by the Salt Lake County Third District Court in Utah. Since its inception it has grown from 50 clients to 270 ongoing clients. In 1999, due to its tremendous success, the program was named as a mentor court (offering guidance to other jurisdictions across the country) by the U.S. Department of Justice. In the development of the drug court, it took many people and organizations to see the merit of the program for it to work and be successful. The program is seen as a highly effective alternative to traditional sentencing for repeat substance abusers and is administered and monitored by the court. For drug users, traditional or punitive courts do not work well; however, rehabilitative or treatment-based courts do. Their success is based on the encouragement given to the drug user throughout the rehabilitation process. Repeat drug users can enter the program in two ways: (1) referral by an attorney or a plea of guilty held in advance and (2) referred as a condition of probation. Program eligibility includes: (1) those in serious trouble with drugs; (2) long-term abusers; (3) those with pending felony charges; and (4) those willing to give treatment a try. There are four phases of the program, of which all four must be completed to graduate: pre-plea or probation period, treatment, personal enhancement, and aftercare and community re-entry. Clients are obligated to remain drug-free and submit to frequent and random drug tests. The success of the program relies on the close collaboration of many agencies working in concert to help addicts address their habits and take responsibility for their life. The treatment and administration of the rehabilitative program is done by the court.