The facts are in...

Drug Courts Reduce Crime  

FACT: Nationwide, 75% of Drug Court graduates remain arrest-free at least two years after leaving the program. 

FACT: Rigorous studies examining long-term outcomes of individual Drug Courts have found that reductions in crime last at least 3 years and can endure for over 14 years.  

FACT: The most rigorous and conservative scientific “meta-analyses” have all concluded that Drug Courts significantly reduce crime as much as 35% more than other sentencing options.

FACT: Nationwide, for every $1.00 invested in Drug Court, taxpayers save as much as $3.36 in avoided criminal justice costs alone.

FACT: When considering other cost offsets such as savings from reduced victimization and healthcare service utilization, studies have shown benefits range up to $12 for every $1 invested.

FACT: Drug Courts produce cost savings ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 per client. These cost savings reflect reduced prison costs, reduced revolving-door arrests and trials, and reduced victimization.

FACT: In 2007, for every Federal dollar invested in Drug Court, $9.00 was leveraged in state funding.

Drug Courts Ensure Compliance

FACT: Unless substance abusing/addicted offenders are regularly supervised by a judge and held accountable, 70% drop out of treatment prematurely.

FACT: Drug Courts provide more comprehensive and closer supervision than other community-based supervision programs.

FACT: Drug Courts are six times more likely to keep offenders in treatment long enough for them to get better.

Drug Courts Restore Families

FACT: Parents in Family Drug Court are more likely to go to treatment and complete it.

FACT: Children of Family Drug Court participants spend significantly less time in out-of-home placements such as foster care.

FACT: Family re-unification rates are 50% higher for Family Drug Court participants.

Source: National Association of Drug Court Professionals