OAS study shows positive results of drug treatment courts

WASHINGTON, CMC – A study done on behalf of the Organization of American States (OAS) shows that drug treatment courts contribute significantly to the rehabilitation of drug addicted offenders as well as a reduction in the costs of incarceration.

The study by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the OAS and a research team from American University in Washington, DC, was conducted in 12 countries including Bermuda, Jamaica and Suriname.

“This study is important because until now we had no real idea of what was going on, no way for countries to network with each other or see what common issues they had in their courts and how to address them,” said Caroline S. Cooper, Research Professor and Associate Director of the Justice Programs Office at the School of Public Affairs of American University.

“We hope the publication of this first-ever compendium of experiences with drug courts in 12 different countries will encourage other countries to consider the feasibility and desirability of establishing drug courts,” said Anna Chisman, Head of Demand Reduction for the CICAD.

The OAS said that the report is a first-ever publication of the experiences and results of this type of court, and has as an objective to promote cooperation, the exchange of information and best practices among the member states of the OAS and other countries.
The CICAD study titled, “Establishing Drug Treatment Courts: Strategies, Experiences and Preliminary Outcomes,” is based on a survey of drug treatment courts in the 12 countries including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico, Norway and the United States.

“ The objective of drug treatment courts is to offer offenders who are addicted to drugs a structured program of treatment and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration,” the OAS said, adding that among the  study’s most relevant results are that drug treatment courts have helped reduce local crime and that there has been a “significant reduction in recidivism among drug dependent offenders involved in drug treatment court programmes”.

The study also found that drug treatment courts have lowered the costs for incarceration and participants in drug treatment programmes were getting immediate help to control their addictions.

But the study noted that among the biggest challenges faced by drug treatment courts is obtaining and maintaining adequate resources.

But the OAS said that overall the study presents a positive picture of what drug treatment courts in the countries involved in the study have accomplished in providing drug treatment to local populations and in addressing the social ills and costs of drug abuse and crime.