Chairman, House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts
SPECIAL REPORT
March 2008
DRUG TREATMENT COURTS
I have long supported problem-solving courts known as “drug treatment courts.” These courts combine structured drug treatment programs with court supervision.
Drug treatment courts involve the coordinated efforts of the judiciary, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation, law enforcement, mental health, social service, and treatment communities. These entities actively and forcefully intervene to break the cycle of substance abuse, addiction, and crime. Drug courts quickly identify substance abusing offenders and place them under strict court monitoring and community supervision that is coupled with effective, long-term treatment services.
To be eligible for the drug treatment court program, offenders must meet the following specifications:
1. be in need of treatment for a drug addiction and willing to participate in the program for at least one year;
2. charged with a non-violent offense;
3. have no more than two prior, non-violent convictions; and
4. must plead guilty or no contest to charges to enter the Drug Treatment Program
The plea is held under advisement while the offender participates in the program. Upon successful completion of the program, the case against the defendant is withdrawn and dismissed. If the defendant remains drug-free for one year beyond dismissal of the charges, the case will be expunged from the defendant’s record.
If the defendant fails to complete the program, he or she is terminated from it. The defendant’s plea will be entered and he or she is immediately sentenced. If in order, the defendant will be sentenced to jail.
EFFECTIVENESS OF DRUG TREATMENT COURTS
According to experts, drug treatment courts outperform all other strategies that have been attempted for drug-involved offenders. A 2005 Government Accountability Office report concluded that adult drug treatment court programs substantially reduce crime by lowering re-arrest and conviction rates among drug court graduates. In the long term, prison population and, therefore, costs are reduced.
PROPOSED FUNDING FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS
I have toured drug treatment courts in Philadelphia and in other states and learned first-hand about their success. I am, therefore, supporting legislation that would provide funding to other counties for use in establishing “problem-solving courts” like drug treatment courts.
To be eligible for funding under the bill, the courts must do the following:
1. increase public safety;
2. reduce spending on criminal justice; and
3. improve the effectiveness of treatment services for defendants with mental illness or substance abuse disorders.
As the 2007-2008 session proceeds, I will continue to work on strengthening problem-solving courts. My next report will focus on another special problem-solving court known as mental health court.
If you have questions about the above or any other state-related matter, please contact one of my offices.
DISTRICT OFFICE CAPITOL OFFICE
3880 Perrysville Avenue P.O. Box 202020
Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(412) 321-5523 (717) 787-5470 (412) 321-5517 fax (717) 783-0407 fax