May 15, 2002

Contact: Theresa Barrett, (602) 542-9364, 
or email: tbarrett@courts.sp.state.az.us

To increase awareness of the national Drug Court movement occurring in Arizona, Governor Jane D. Hull signed a proclamation establishing May as Drug Court Month. The Governor’s declaration provides recognition to the practitioners and participants who make Drug Courts work in reducing drug usage and crime in Arizona communities.

Drug Court is a revolutionary program in which the court system is directly involved in helping defendants. Drug and DUI courts utilize a team approach that involves the judge, probation officer, treatment provider, and defense and prosecuting attorneys. Offenders are supervised through regular (usually monthly) quasi-judicial status hearings in which the Drug Court judge meets directly with each defendant about his/her progress in treatment programs. Drug and DUI courts are designed to enhance the defendant's assumption of responsibility for his/her own rehabilitation. Drug and DUI courts emphasize treatment by tailoring the level of intervention and resource commitment to the needs of the offender, but more importantly to the public safety needs of the community. Family Drug Courts emphasize treatment for substance abusers to aid in reunification of families impacted by drug usage. Only nonviolent offenders are eligible for these programs. Currently Arizona has 15 operational Drug Court teams (six Adult, six Juvenile, two Family and one DUI), three Drug Court teams in the planning process and several others under consideration. Arizona Drug Court/DUI programs boast 1,424 successful graduates to date, with approximately 1,201 individuals currently participating in programs.

On the national level, Drug Courts have been proven to reduce recidivism and prevent relapses, which in turn reduces jail overcrowding. A cost benefit analysis conducted by Maricopa County supports this assertion. Already this year, Maricopa Superior Court estimates that their Adult Drug Court program allowed the county to avoid a total of 1,533 jail days, avoiding costs of approximately $64,171.38. Total incarceration costs avoided by Maricopa County in 2001 were $129,347.40.

The expedited disposition of cases in Drug Court systems has also proven to reduce backlogs and save court time, making resources available for other uses. Like all Drug Courts, Pima County’s provides intensive drug treatment in a non-adversarial, therapeutic court environment. Upon successful completion of the Drug Court program, the participant will receive a dismissal or reduction of the original charges. Early intervention is an important component of the program. The participant enters a change of plea within 14 days of his or her arrest and begins intensive treatment, random drug testing and regular court appearances. Early intervention and treatment provide an immediate correlation between drug use and its consequences. To date, Pima’s Adult Drug Court has resolved 919 cases without protracted case processing and court hearings (from grand jury proceeding through the writing of a pre-sentence report). Rather than spend taxpayers’ dollars on case processing, the Drug Court uses its available resources for treatment and rehabilitative services.

Throughout May, Drug Court teams are planning events/activities to deliver a message to the public about the effectiveness of Drug Courts and raise the visibility of the programs in their communities. Earlier this month, Pima Family Drug Court had a celebration event following their family Drug Court hearings. All of their current clients and their significant others attended the celebration. In addition, Child Protective Services (CPS) case managers and supervisors, Pima County Juvenile Court Center dependency staff, attorneys and judges joined the festivities. On May 13, Yuma County Juvenile Drug Court held a graduation ceremony. Following the graduation, Drug Court team members met with graduates and established an alumni association. The newly formed Alumni Association’s first meeting is scheduled for May 20.

To celebrate Drug Court month in Yavapai County, on May 21, the four Drug Courts will be holding a unified recognition evening at the County Courthouse in Prescott. Each Drug Court judge will say a few words in regards to their Drug Court program and Drug Court graduates will speak briefly. Drug Court teams, dignitaries and the press have been invited. Light refreshments will be served. On May 23 Coconino County DUI/Drug Court Program will be hosting their first graduation and recognizing their first six graduates. The ceremony is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Division 3 Courtroom of the Superior Court.

Finally, on May 31 Maricopa County will be ending Arizona Drug Court Month by celebrating 10 years of recovery. This event will include: The Honorable Susan R. Bolton (former Drug Court Judge); graduation ceremonies; introduction of the Drug Court Team; graduate testimonials and refreshments. The festivities will be hosted by Hon. Eddward P. Ballinger, Commissioner Aimee Faust, Maricopa County Adult Probation and the Superior Court Drug Court Team. For more information, contact Carey McGrath at (602)506-0245.

Justice For A Better Arizona, the strategic agenda for the Arizona Judiciary, recommends making greater use of Drug Courts to reduce drug related recidivism. In support of continuing education and the endorsement of our Drug Courts across the state, on February 20, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in partnership with the Arizona Association of Drug Court Professionals (AADCP) extended training to Arizona Drug Court professionals. The Education Committee developed an interesting agenda that offered the 140 plus attendees the chance to hear a national speaker present information relevant to their work as well as the opportunity to attend sessions on varied topics of interest and concern to Drug Courts. Additionally, the training provided a venue for Drug Court professionals to share and discuss issues affecting their jobs. Based on the initial feedback the training was quite successful. Theresa Barrett, AOC Drug Court liaison, and program organizer, indicated she was thrilled with this year’s conference and pleased so many elected to be part of it.

President Bush stated the following:

Drug Courts are an effective and cost efficient way to keep non-violent drug offenders committed to a rigorous drug treatment program in lieu of prison. By leveraging the coercive power of the criminal justice system, Drug Courts can alter the behavior of non-violent, low-level drug offenders through a combination of judicial supervision, case management, mandatory drug testing, and treatment to ensure abstinence from drugs and escalating sanctions. (Blueprint for New Beginnings, February 28, 2001)

In the words of Chief Justice Jones, "Those offenders with histories of substance abuse or mental illness present a unique challenge and innovative approaches must be considered, such as Drug Courts and family courts, to reduce offender recidivism and to promote public safety."

Probation supervision coupled with drug treatment increases positive results and allows people who would otherwise be sent to prison to become effective, contributing members of the community. By accepting responsibility for their behavior, participants can develop confidence and self-esteem, and reestablish healthy, positive relationships with their families. Those who are successful work, pay restitution and taxes, and allow prison space to be used for offenders who cannot succeed in our communities. Implementing and expanding current Drug Court programs to meet the needs of the growing substance abuse population in Arizona will reinforce the ability of adult probation departments to address problems of both substance abuse and offender accountability.

For more information about Arizona's Drug Courts, contact Theresa Barrett at tbarrett@supreme.sp.state.az.us, (602) 542-9364.