Invest in Rehabilitation, Not Incarceration

Federal, state and local governments are desperate for strategies to reduce costs and maintain budgets in these hard economic times. Fortunately, within our criminal justice system, drug courts are providing an unparalleled record of saving money while reducing substance abuse and related crime, recidivism and costly prison overcrowding. May is National Drug Court Month and it provides the opportunity to increase public awareness of, and expand upon, this proven model.

From their inception 21 years ago in Miami, to the more than 2,400 drug courts operating today in every U.S. state, drug courts have become an effective intervention for dealing with substance abuse and crime. Drug courts work better than prison and better than treatment alone because they have effective sanctions and tools to ensure that their goal—to get the addict clean and sober and out of the system forever – is attained.

Contrary to what some public perceptions may be, drug courts are not a get out of jail free card. Offenders are held accountable for their responsibility to society, their families and themselves. They are regularly and randomly tested for drug use, required to appear frequently in court for judicial review of their progress, and immediately receive sanctions if not living up to their obligations. Drug courts provide a chance at rehabilitation for criminals who have substance abuse disorders and who are in desperate need of support.  This aids both the addict and the public.

As such, the American Bar Association has a long history of supporting innovative treatment court programs designed to address the underlying problems that are the root cause of criminal conduct, such as drug courts, homeless courts and veterans’ courts.

Half of the nation’s prison population is clinically addicted to drugs or alcohol.  Upon their release, nearly all will relapse into substance abuse and as many as 80 percent will commit a new crime, typically a drug-related one.  Given this abysmal record, there’s no justification for continuing to waste tax dollars feeding correctional facilities instead of investing in drug courts that have proven to lower recidivism rates.

Everyone benefits when an addict gets clean and sober. The most conservative estimates by researchers show that for every dollar invested in drug court, $3.36 is saved by the justice system. Even more striking is that as much as $12 (per $1 investment) is saved by the community on foster care, property loss, reduced emergency room visits and other medical care.

Despite their success, half of U.S. counties currently do not have a drug court. Most that do only have capacity to serve 10 percent of the 1.2 million serious drug-abusing and addicted offenders estimated to be in need, confirming that drug courts have not reached their full potential.

During National Drug Court Month, let’s make a pledge to expand a system that is proven to be cost-effective, holds offenders accountable for their actions and protects society while doing so.

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