Drug courts improve outcomes for drug-abusing offenders by combining evidence-based substance abuse treatment with strict behavioral accountability. Participants are carefully monitored for substance use and related behaviors and receive escalating incentives for accomplishments and sanctions for infractions. The nearly unanimous perception of both participants and staff members is that the positive effects of drug courts are largely attributable to the application of these behavioral contingencies.
The Judicial Bench Card is a guide for judges on appropriate questions to ask treatment court participants from the bench. Download