Do Washington Drug Courts Work?

Research combined with wide spread anecdotal evidence provides a convincing picture of reductions in recidivism. In fact, the University of Washington recently completed an evaluation that indicates completion of a drug court treatment plan reduces the likelihood of future arrest – at least within the first three years. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, December 2000.

Who is accepted for participation in Washington Drug Courts?

Each Washington Drug Court has it’s own unique criteria for participation. Typically, offenders arrested for felony drug possession and those arrested for a property crime that is addiction-driven may choose Drug Court over a jail sentence.

However, offenders facing a violent or sexual offense or having a prior conviction for those types of crimes and offenders facing charges for manufacturing or delivering drugs or having prior convictions for those types of crimes are not eligible for drug court participation.

Are All Washington Drug Courts the Same?

The design and structure of each Washington drug court program is developed at the local level, to reflect the unique strengths, circumstances and capacities of each community. Many sectors of the community are integrally involved in the planning and implementation process, including: Criminal justice, substance abuse treatment, law enforcement, educational and vocational entities and community anti-drug organizations.

Do Washington Drug Courts Save Money?

Incarceration of drug-using offenders costs between $20,000 and $50,000 per person per year. In contrast, a comprehensive Drug Court system typically costs less than $3,000 annually for each offender. (The Seattle Times, 11/10/98)

Why do some offenders opt out of drug court or fail to complete their treatment plan?

Drug court is a rigorous and demanding challenge. For some, the requirements can be harder than incarceration. “First you must qualify for treatment…If you get in, you’ll be required to submit urine samples whenever your asked…You’ll be closely observed while you’re doing this, so you can’t cheat…If you had other plans for the day, tough…A single “hot” urine will get you three days in jail…you’ll be giving up alcohol…you’ll also enter a treatment program…and appear before a judge regularly…Mess up just once, you’ll pay dearly.” (Seattle Post Intelligencer, 12/26/00)

Are Washington Drug Courts a "Soft on Crime" Program?

Judges that oversee Washington drug courts use sanctions that include: terms of incarceration, increased drug-testing and intensive supervision for participants that violate their treatment plan.

Without drug court this same population receives 30-90 days of jail time, no supervision, and neither drug testing nor treatment, giving these offenders little reason to change their behaviors.

How are Washington drug courts funded?

Washington Drug courts rely on an assorted mix of federal, state, local, and private funding. In 1994 congress authorized the Department of Justice to award grants for drug courts. If a federal grant request is approved the funding cycle is typically three years. The first year is planning followed by implementation and enhancement.

Unfortunately, the longest operation drug court programs in Washington, among them the programs in Pierce, King, and Spokane counties, have exhausted these grant eligibility’s and must find other sources of support to continue providing services. While the Northwest HIDTA supports drug court programs within the HIDTA region, and Byrne Grant funds have been allocated for support of drug courts, these funds are limited in scope and time and do not contribute resources adequate to sustain full operating levels.

It is hoped that on-going efforts to derive funding support from the Washington State Legislature will succeed, achieving the recognition deserved by drug courts given the savings, cost offsets, and productive public policy such programs represent.