Drug Courts Proven Effective in Providing Treatment and Reducing Crime
Governments throughout the world are assessing the current global drug problem to determine the best methods for thwarting use, trafficking and distribution. As long as those running the drug trade are allowed to continue their activities, crime rates and costs to society continue to soar.
In a recent Join Together article, researchers examined the effectiveness of drug courts in 12 countries and noted their positive effects on crime and costs to society. According to their report, the concept of offering addiction treatment to drug offenders rather than prison has succeeded in countries from Belgium to Suriname.
The report, Establishing Drug Treatment Courts: Strategies, Experiences, and Preliminary Outcomes, found that drug courts are effective in reducing local crime and recidivism and lowering incarceration costs.
At the same time, taking this approach also ensures that drug addicts receive the addiction and related services necessary to treat a dangerous habit. Supported services can include healthcare, housing and family support.
The biggest challenge for drug courts throughout the world was maintaining adequate resources for operations. While the courts are able to produce measurable results, not all citizens are in support of continued funding for those criminals wreaking havoc in their communities.
"This study is important because until now we had no real idea of what was going on, no way for countries to network with each other or see what common issues they had in their courts and how to address them," said Caroline S. Cooper of the Justice Programs Office at the School of Public Affairs at American University.
