Drug Treatment Courts

More counties are beginning to use drug treatment courts to battle substance abuse problems in their communities. This morning I heard a brief discussion about the success of the program here in Berks County. Judge Jeffrey Schmehl reported that, thus far, there hasn’t been a single recidivist among this county’s program graduates.

This level of success in very encouraging. Drug treatment programs are very cost effective in the long term. Compared to the cost of law enforcement, court administration, prison construction and confinement and parole departments, monies invested in drug treatment programs administered by drug courts have the potential to save communities significant taxpayer dollars in addition to changing countless lives for the better.

Having a Judge and court holding attendees accountable for completing their treatment seems to be effective. Since abusers face the alternative of incarceration if they leave treatment the incentive to “get clean” is strong. Sometimes is this tough love type of approach is what is needed to get through to hardcore drug users.

There are other obvious benefits, from nicer neighborhoods to improved quality of life in many of our urban areas where drug gangs are in control all too often.