Introduction
In the United States (U.S.), drug courts were first established in the late 1980s. The limited range and effectiveness of the criminal justice measures then for dealing crimes involving drugs fueled the development of drug courts. Since then, drug courts have evolved. Studies have indicated positive findings regarding drug courts. However, drug courts are not perfect, and there are still improvements that can be made. Drug courts are indeed well established, but improvements will further enhance their effectiveness and efficiency.
Background Information
Court dockets and prisons were flooded with constantly rising amount of drug cases, mostly nonviolent, due to the intensification of the “War on Drugs” and “Tough on Crime” movements during the 1980s (Kleiman & Hawdon, 2011). This eventually led to the introduction of drug courts. The first drug court was established in Dade County, Florida, in …show more content…
Juvenile and family drug courts also supply “a structure allowing for the ongoing, active participation and oversight of a judge” (Devon, 2010). Supplying juveniles with treatment and services for drug abuse, providing valuable support to help them in opposing future offenses, supporting them to accomplish in schools and build positive communal relationships, and assisting them in developing skills that will aid in having fruitful lives without crimes and drugs are the goals of juvenile drug courts (Devon, 2010). Family drug courts have similar goals. The only distinction is that family drug courts also assist parents in coming to be personally, financially and emotionally self-sufficient, and in cultivating productive parenting skills (Devon, 2010). As of December 31, 2004, there were 153 family drug courts in 33 States and the District of Columbia (D.C.) (Devon,
In the United States (U.S.), drug courts were first established in the late 1980s. The limited range and effectiveness of the criminal justice measures then for dealing crimes involving drugs fueled the development of drug courts. Since then, drug courts have evolved. Studies have indicated positive findings regarding drug courts. However, drug courts are not perfect, and there are still improvements that can be made. Drug courts are indeed well established, but improvements will further enhance their effectiveness and efficiency.
Background Information
Court dockets and prisons were flooded with constantly rising amount of drug cases, mostly nonviolent, due to the intensification of the “War on Drugs” and “Tough on Crime” movements during the 1980s (Kleiman & Hawdon, 2011). This eventually led to the introduction of drug courts. The first drug court was established in Dade County, Florida, in …show more content…
Juvenile and family drug courts also supply “a structure allowing for the ongoing, active participation and oversight of a judge” (Devon, 2010). Supplying juveniles with treatment and services for drug abuse, providing valuable support to help them in opposing future offenses, supporting them to accomplish in schools and build positive communal relationships, and assisting them in developing skills that will aid in having fruitful lives without crimes and drugs are the goals of juvenile drug courts (Devon, 2010). Family drug courts have similar goals. The only distinction is that family drug courts also assist parents in coming to be personally, financially and emotionally self-sufficient, and in cultivating productive parenting skills (Devon, 2010). As of December 31, 2004, there were 153 family drug courts in 33 States and the District of Columbia (D.C.) (Devon,