Kentucky Drug Courts

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THE TEN KEY COMPONENTS

#1: Drug Courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with just system case processing.

  • A Drug Court Team is formed and includes the Judge, Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Treatment Provider, Law Enforcement, local community leaders, and policymakers.
  • The Drug Court Team will develop a mission statement, individual goals, eligibility criteria, and adopt the statewide procedures manual and participant handbook.
  • Goals and objectives must be performance-based and measurable.
  • The Judge plays an active role in the treatment process. The Drug Court Team provides valuable input to assist the Judge in the decision making process.

#2: Using a non-adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants' due process rights.

  • Prosecutors and defense attorneys collaborate on program design and implementation.
  • Defense attorneys protect clients' rights by explaining drug court concepts and procedures.
  • Terms of service for prosecutors and public defenders are long enough to ensure team building, stability, and consistency.

#3: Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the Drug Court program.

  • Eligibility screening is done by local Drug Court staff before being admitted to the program.
  • The Drug Court staff assess eligible Drug Court individuals for alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems and treatment suitability.
  • Initial appearance before the Drug Court Judge is expedited.
  • The Drug Court Judge requires eligible participants to enroll in AOD services immediately.

#4: Drug Courts provide a continuum of alcohol, drug and other treatment and rehabilitative services.

  • Treatment services are comprehensive, have quality controls, and are accountable.
  • Referrals to ancillary services are available through total case management.
  • Funding, and services for treatment, needs to be adequate, stable, and dedicated to Drug Courts.
  • Treatment designs are sensitive to issues of race, culture, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

#5: Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing.

  • Frequent and random testing is utilized.
  • Drug Court Judge imposes immediate sanctions when participant fails screen, gives adulterated sample, or misses a test.
  • Standardized testing guidelines are used to ensure test results reliability.

#6: A coordinated strategy governs Drug Court responses to participants' compliance.

  • Sanctions and incentives are developed jointly and are imposed after conferring with the Drug Court Team.
  • Imposed sanctions are graduated and are proportional with the infraction.
  • Compliance with program requirements are rewarded.
  • Consequences for program compliance/noncompliance are clearly explained to participant.

#7: Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential.

  • The Drug Court Judge has a balanced approach; interacting with participants in a direct and personal way.
  • Judge-participant interaction shows to participant observers the benefits of program compliance and consequences for noncompliance.
  • The Drug Court Judge applies appropriate sanctions and incentives to match participant behaviors.

#8: Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement or program goals and gauge effectiveness.

  • The Drug Court Evaluator works with the team during the planning stage to ensure that evaluations are initiated and ongoing.
  • Drug Court Manager and Staff periodically review monitoring and management data.
  • Written guidelines are available and protect confidentiality and unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

#9. Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective Drug Court planning, implementation, and operations.

  • Drug Court staff are required to maintain a specific level of education. Team building is part of the regular training process.
  • Attendance at educational training workshops is strongly encouraged, (i.e., the Kentucky School on Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, a week long workshop where continuing education credits may be earned).
  • The entire Drug Court Team undergoes training in addiction and substance abuse treatment.

#10: Forging partnerships among Drug Courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court program effectiveness.

  • Develop linkages between community groups and the criminal justice system.
  • Develop partnerships between Drug Courts and law enforcement, i.e., community policing.
  • Drug Court staff is professional and reflects the population it serves. Cultural diversity training is included in ongoing staff development.