Mandated Drug Counseling/Rehabilitation

By: Grace D, Amanda F, & Amanda L

Background
Criminals are forced or given the option to undergo treatment If successful, eliminates or reduces criminal sentences

Purpose
To treat drug abuse Help addict/criminal get their life on track More beneficial than sitting in jail

How It Works
Done through regular or drug court Criminal is encouraged to undergo treatment In some cases, criminal is forced by the court to attend rehabilitation Criminals can graduate from drug court

History
1st drug court- Miami, Florida in 1989 Created to stop the flooding of non violent cocaine addicts in courtrooms and jails More room for dangerous offenders 1994 Crime Act Congress authorized grants to states to establish drug courts

Today
Over 1,600 drug courts in U.S Address addiction through an integrated set of social and legal services In 2004: 53% of offenders in court were identified as
having a drug/ substance abuse problem Only 15% were receiving professional treatment

Case Examples
http://www.narconon.org/drugrehab/centers/arrowhead-reviews.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVoKFVhIVh4

Positive & Negatives

Most studies suggest outcomes are as good as or better than outcomes for those entered treatment without legal pressure Cost of treating drug abuse = fraction of overall societal costs Better outcomes are associated with treatment that lasts longer than 90 days Shouldnt be forced into rehab

Group Evaluation
Drug courts are a good idea
Sitting in jail isnt beneficial and will decrease retention

Needs to be expanded Costs less to send criminal to rehab

Need stability Jail is for dangerous people

Resources
http://www.addictionsearch.com/treatment_articles/arti cle/a-history-of-drug-rehabilitation_39.html http://www.epcounty.com/wtc/reentrycourt/history.htm http://www.sentencingproject.org/doc/dp_drugcourts.p df http://www.narconon.org/drugrehab/centers/arrowhead-reviews.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVoKFVhIVh4 http://www.drugabuse.gov http://hbo.com/addiction/treatment/375_mandated_tre atment.html http://recoveryfirst.org