OPINION

Drug Courts provide path to recovery from addiction

Marcus D. Ellis Jr.
Guest columnist
Ellis

During May, Drug Courts and other treatment courts throughout Mississippi are joining over 2,900 such courts nationwide in celebrating National Drug Court Month. By May 31, thousands of individuals who entered the criminal justice system addicted to drugs or alcohol, and facing incarceration, will receive lifesaving treatment and the chance to repair their lives, reconnect with their families and find long-term recovery.

Treatment courts are now considered to be the foundation of criminal justice reform and the most effective strategy to reduce substance abuse, crime and recidivism while saving money for taxpayers. The time is past to expand these programs so they reach every addicted individual who comes into contact with the justice system.

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This year’s National Drug Court Month theme is “Criminal Justice Reform in Action.” Since the late 1980’s Drug Courts have paved the way for significant criminal justice reform in the U.S. Without this innovative, evidence-based treatment these programs provide, more than 1.4 million Americans would not be living in recovery from addiction. The expansion of the Adult Drug Court Model into other types of treatment courts that serve families, juveniles, repeat DUI offenders and veterans is transforming how the justice system responds to addiction and mental health and proving treatment is far more effective than punishment.

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In 2003, the 8th Judicial District Drug Court became the very first Certified Drug Court in Mississippi; although there were several others in operation at the time, they had not been certified by the Administrative Office of Courts, Mississippi Supreme Court. However, all Drug Courts, then and now, opened their doors with a single premise: rather than continue to allow individuals with long histories of substance abuse and crime to cycle through the criminal justice system at great expense to the taxpayer, use the leverage of the court to keep them engaged in treatment long enough to be successful. Today, Drug Courts and other treatment courts have proven, repeatedly, that a combination of accountability and compassion can not only save lives but save valuable resources and reduce exorbitant criminal justice costs.

More research has been published on the effects of Drug Courts than virtually all other criminal justice programs combined. In 2012, the U.S. Government Accountability Office submitted a report to Congress confirming Drug Courts reduce substance abuse and crime and save money, Nationally, Drug Courts return to the community up to $27 for every $1 invested. Drug Courts reduce crime by up to 50 percent, and the longest study to date shows reductions lasted an astounding 14 years. Moreover, studies show the more serious an individual’s drug addiction and the longer his/her criminal record, the better treatment courts work. This approach not only diverts individuals from a life of substance abuse and crime but also has been proven to reduce use of jail or prison beds, emergency room admissions, family conflicts associated with domestic violence and child abuse and foster care placements.

Mississippi is now home to over 40 treatment courts and is setting a national standard for smart-on-crime justice policies that reduce recidivism and save money. These programs keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, intervene before our youth embark on a debilitating life of substance abuse and crime and give parents the tools they need to stay clean and maintain custody of their children and ensure our veterans receive the benefits and treatment they have earned.

Treatment courts represent a compassionate approach to the ravages of addiction. This year’s National Drug Court Month celebration should signal that the time has come to reap the economic and societal benefits of expanding this proven budget solution to all in need.

Marcus D. Ellis Jr. is coordinator of the 8th Judicial District Drug Court that includes Leake, Scott, Newston and Neshoba counties.