NW High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Court Evaluation

This project conducted a statewide evaluation of the drug court programs in Washington State for the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Part I of the study looked at how clients get into the court, how the court provides supervision and monitoring of their participation in treatment, the treatment and other services the clients get, and how the court and treatment systems work together. The second part of the study concentrated on the impact of participation in drug courts on the clients. Researchers gathered information about arrests, incarceration, employment, and use of other resources like medical care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and income support programs. The study compared outcomes for three groups of offenders who are referred to drug courts: those who complete a drug court program, those who enter but fail to complete (drop-outs), and those who are offered entry to the program but decline to enroll (opt-outs).

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