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ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESSFUL APPROACH
TO HOLDING DRUG OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE Florida Receives 4 Drug Court Grants
ORLANDO, FL Attorney General Ashcroft today announced almost $2 million in grant funding to help four Florida jurisdictions establish drug court programs. Drug courts, which began in Dade County, Florida, in 1989, were created to help nonviolent offenders break the cycle of drug addiction and crime. Ninety-two jurisdictions, including those in Florida, will receive a total of $31.4 million to establish new drug courts and enhance current programs around the country.
The announcement comes at the request of President Bush, who pledged in May to increase funding to fight drug addiction through several programs, including drug courts.
"Research shows us that drug courts are working to keep nonviolent, substance-abusing offenders from cycling through our courts and tying up prison space needed for violent criminals," said Attorney General Ashcroft. "Strict judicial supervision is helping drug offenders get on the right track, but also sends them to jail if they fail to take advantage of this opportunity to turn their lives around."
Orlando's Orange County Board of County Commissioners will receive $499,998 to develop a new program at its existing juvenile court. The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orlando will implement a program that will use intensive, judicially-supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing and graduated sanctions to reintegrate juveniles back into their families and communities. Orlando's current juvenile court is part of the national Mentor Drug Court Network, which are drug courts recognized as models for addressing the needs of nonviolent, substance-abusing offenders. Network members help jurisdictions plan, develop and improve drug courts.
Other Florida jurisdictions receiving grants include Citrus County's Fifth Judicial Circuit Court, which will receive $418,960 to start a new juvenile drug court. Offenders with addiction problems will receive outpatient therapy, transitional housing and residential services, education and life skills counseling. Clients may have their criminal charges dismissed upon successful completion of the program.
The Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission in West Palm Beach will receive $500,000 to establish an adult drug court. Palm Beach County will implement a 2-year pre-trial diversion program in collaboration with multiple social service agencies to provide comprehensive services including job training, vocation and literacy, and to reduce recidivism. Putnam County Board of County Commissioners will receive $499,258 to implement a 12-month, post-adjudication program that will reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs. In addition to treatment, participants will be required to pursue vocational and educational endeavors and become more involved in community activities.
According to the Drug Court Clearinghouse at American University, 220,000 adults and 9,000 young people have been enrolled in drug court programs and more than 73,000 adults and 1,500 teens have graduated to date. In Portland, OR it was found that for every $1 spent on a drug court, $2.50 is saved in standard criminal justice system costs, and when estimating broader cost savings, such as victimization and theft costs, $10 is saved.
The number of operational drug courts is increasing rapidly - from 30 or 40 in 1995 to nearly 700 this year, with more than 430 being planned. Thirty-two states have passed legislation supporting drug courts and six more are introducing legislation, creating increased interest in planning and operating drug courts. The drug court concept has also expanded to juvenile and family drug courts, DUI/DWI and tribal courts.
The President's FY 2002 budget request includes $50 million for drug courts.
The Drug Courts Program Office was established in 1995 to make grants to states, state and local courts, units of local government and Indian tribal governments for the development and establishment of drug courts. The National Association of Drug Court Professionals developed key components upon which the program is based, including rehabilitating offenders, holding offenders accountable for their actions and reducing recidivism by intervening soon after arrest to place offenders in treatment programs.
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