What is a Drug Court?
What Do They Do?

An unofficial site created to publicize the work of the
Washington State Association of Drug Court Professionals

Drug courts work with persons who are being charged with felony drug offenses and give them the opportunity to participate in treatment as an alternative to jail time.

The Seattle Times, September 10, 2004, "Road to Recovery a Bumpy One," is the story of a man's recovery from methamphetamine addiction and his experiences with the Drug Court.  [Access to Seattle Time archives requires registration, but there is no charge.]

Using the Criminal Justice System to Bring Addicts Into Treatment, By King County Prosecuting Attorney Norm Maleng.  Presented to the 2001 Washington State Legislature.

What are Drug Courts? National Association of Drug Court Professionals and the National Drug Court Institute.

Participants from six American drug courts share their views on the drug court program and their drug court experiences.

Congress of State Drug Court Associations: the Congress of State Drug Courts of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals was launched in 1997 as a vehicle to empower, support and nurture leadership at the state and local levels. Comprised of two representatives from each state association, including one criminal justice professional and one treatment professional, the congress advocates for state and federal resources and funding and helps NADCP establish national policy.

Drugs: How they affect the body and the brain: our section on illegal drugs, inhalants, alcohol and nicotine.

Drug Court Technology Resource Center. The Resource Center is an online forum offering tools and information for drug court practitioners who are creating computer applications for their courts. The Resource Center sponsors two related web sites: "Drug Court Technology" and "Drug court MIS."

Juvenile and Family Drug Courts: Situations that are bringing many juveniles and parents under the court's jurisdiction are often closely linked with substance abuse and with complicated, and often multigenerational, family and personal problems.  This report was prepared by the Office of Justice Programs Drug Court Clearinghouse and Technical Assistance Project at the American University, Washington, DC.

The National Drug Strategy Network is working for effective approaches to address the world's many drug problems by sharing accurate information about drug control strategies.

The Drug Court Technology Resource Center is an online forum offering tools and information for drug court practitioners who are creating computer applications for their courts.

Proposition 36 - California’s groundbreaking initiative, the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act - was passed by 61% of California voters in November 2000. The California State Legislative Analyst's Office estimates that this initiative will divert approximately 37,000 low-level, non-violent drug possession offenders from incarceration into treatment at an approximate savings of $1.5 billion over 5 years to California taxpayers.

Washington State RCW 70.96A.350 Criminal justice treatment account.  (1) The criminal justice treatment account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be expended solely for: (a) Substance abuse treatment and treatment support services for offenders with an addiction or a substance abuse problem that, if not treated, would result in addiction, against whom charges are filed by a prosecuting attorney in Washington state; and (b) the provision of drug and alcohol treatment services and treatment support services for nonviolent offenders within a drug court program.

To reach the Washington State Association of Drug Court Professionals, contact:

WSADCP
% Terree Schmidt-Whelan, PhD.
Executive Director
Pierce County Alliance
510 Tacoma Avenue South
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 572-4750
FAX: (253) 272-6666
[ Send an email to Terree Schmidt-Whelan ]

So What Is a Mental Health Court?
What Does It Do?

---

In the greater Seattle / King County Washington area

             

---

Search WWW Search CounselingSeattle.com

---

     To top of Washington State Drug Court page