Pubdate: Thu, 31 May 2007 Source: Lahaina News (HI) Copyright: 2007 Lahaina News Contact: http://www.lahainanews.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4521 Author: Barbara-Ann Keller DRUG COURTS MUST EXPAND TO MEET NEEDS Since the late 1980s, drug courts have been developed to respond to the costly and time consuming approach of dealing with nonviolent, substance abusing offenders that overwhelm the criminal justice system. In contrast to the traditional "revolving door" approach, drug courts have provided an effective solution to drug and drug-related crime through the innovative use of comprehensive supervision, drug testing, judicial monitoring and sanctions and incentives. Though there are now over 1,900 drug court programs nationwide, individuals continue to go unserved. Within the State of Hawaii, drug court programs can be found on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu. A variety of drug court programs are available for those residing on those islands, including adults within the criminal court system, and adults and juveniles through the family court system. These programs are unique and sensitive to the cultural population of each of the islands while meeting the components of drug court programs nationwide. The design and structure of drug court programs are developed at the local level, reflecting the unique strengths, circumstances and capacities of each community. Within Hawaii, over 225 individuals actively participated in adult, family, and juvenile drug court programs last year, yet some drug courts within the state continue to have a wait list of 50 individuals or more. In the interest of public safety and the overall well-being of our communities, when addressing those that are not only drug addicted but also criminal offenders, the goal not only becomes to build a drug-free lifestyle, but also to end their criminal behavior. The question becomes, will these criminal offenders commit fewer crimes after being incarcerated or receiving treatment? Even during brief exposures to treatment, almost all addicts will use fewer drugs and commit less crime than they would have otherwise. Prison populations continue to grow along with reconvictions of crimes. Nationwide reconviction rates for drug offenders have been at 47 percent and higher after release from prison. As of June 2006, Hawaii's adult drug courts had a reconviction rate averaging just 8 percent for all graduates since the first program in Hawaii began in 1996. Drug courts protect public safety, provide treatment, and turn the tide of addiction. It is clear that drug courts work but also notable that they need to be able to grow to meet the expanding number of substance using offenders nationwide. The number of substance users/abusers in America is high. At the time of arrest, it is estimated that two-thirds of adults and half of juveniles test positive for illicit drugs and/or alcohol. Of the 14 million Americans that were arrested in 2005, it is estimated that 9.3 million offenders were under the influence at the time of arrest. It's time to expand the winning formula of drug courts to address these others in need. Support our local drug court programs to meet the expanding number of substance using offenders within our own State of Hawaii. Barbara-Ann Keller Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake