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The Spokane Felony Drug Court was
implemented and began operation in January 1996. The heart of the treatment
program for the Spokane Drug Court is the Personal Recovery Program (PRP). The
PRP includes traditional and innovative approaches designed to specifically
address the addictive and criminal behaviors of offenders selected for Drug
Court.
The mission of the Spokane County
Drug Court is to divert certain drug dependent offenders from confinement into a
highly structured and cost effective pre-trial release program that combines
treatment, education and intensive supervision to reduce drug use and associated
criminal activity.
Spokane
County Drug Court admits approximately 50 clients per year.
As
of November 2001, 104 clients have graduated.
Two specialized ancillary
therapy programs that concentrate on anger management and expressive arts
therapy are also available to a limited number of Drug Court clients.
Anger Management
is conducted on a weekly basis by nationally renowned therapist Chris Crutcher.
The hour and a half sessions focus on anger and relationship issues as they
apply to group members. The teaching component includes identifying general
anger and relationship issues, while the therapy component includes the
identification of specific anger and relationship issues, their sources, and
strategies to resolve them in more productive ways than in the past. The
therapeutic component also focuses on sources of anger as they apply to early
learning, and errant conclusions brought from there into adulthood; paying
particular attention to how errant beliefs may contribute to addiction. Specific
attention is paid to the relationship between extreme anger/rage and
self-contempt.
Expressive Arts
therapy is a process whereby Drug
Court clients discover themselves through any art form that springs from an
emotional depth. Because memories are stored in the body, and because Expressive
Arts Therapy is experiential, this approach is extremely effective with clients
who have been victims of physical and/or sexual abuse. Through the therapy
process, inner feelings are expressed by creating outer forms through music,
movement, writing, and drama. One extremely interesting tool and activity
concerns the creation of a personal mask by each participating Drug Court client
to serve as a revelation of self-perception and personal identity. Expressive
Arts Therapy utilizes the emotional, intuitive aspect of each client to
facilitate healing and recovery from addiction.
The value and importance of
Anger Management and Expressive Arts Therapy to the Spokane County Adult Felony
Drug Court treatment repertoire has been validated and reinforced by client
self-reporting, demonstrable improved behaviors and functioning, and the
commitment expressed by both clients and therapists alike. These therapeutic
additions offer realistic promise in aiding Drug Court clients to achieve
program completion, permanent lifestyle changes, healing, and the likelihood of
successful recovery and rehabilitation.
Participant Eligibility:
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Charged
in Superior Court with possession of controlled substance, forged
prescription, or conspiracy to possess.
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Charged
with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to deliver will be
considered on a case-by-case basis.
-
Charged
in Superior Court with felony theft, trafficking in stolen property,
forgery, unauthorized issuance of a bank check, or taking a motor vehicle
without permission, and the offender petitions for admission into Drug Court
prior to setting a trial date.
-
Have
no other pending felony charges at arrest, other than drug possession
-
There
must be a reasonable basis to believe the offender can successfully complete
the Drug Court Program.
-
Spokane
area residence.
-
Willingness
to participate in an intensive treatment, education and closely monitored
program.
Ineligible offenses:
-
Have
no prior adult or juvenile sex or violent crime offenses.
-
Felony
charges for crimes against property or persons committed while the offender
is an active participant in Drug Court.
Additional
Requirements for Participation:
-
The
offender must execute a promissory note and Confession of Judgment for the
full amount of restitution payable to all victims. The total amount of
restitution cannot exceed $2500.
-
Participation
in the Felony Drug Court Program will not bar prosecution for any other
current offenses.
Graduation is recommended to the Court after all
requirements of the program are met.
Spokane
County Drug Court Contact:
James
R. Smith
Law
& Justice Council
C/o
Spokane County Jail
1100
West Mallon
Spokane, WA 99260
(509) 477-6354
Fax (509) 477-6399
jsmith@spokanecounty.org
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