1. Elmore County Drug and DUI Court

2. “The Revolving Door” Movement Of Drug Offenders through the Traditional Criminal Justice System

3. Response to the 1980’s Crack Cocaine Epidemic
Criminal Justice (CJ) System
Escalated penalties
More prisons
Drug Case Management Systems
Shortened the time between arrest and conviction
Did not address habitual Alcohol or Drug (AOD) use
Treatment
Many offenders not identified as having AOD problems
Few treatment programs
No room or waiting lists
Lack of cooperative relationships between CJ system and treatment
Offenders who were ordered to complete treatment were not involved long enough to develop appropriate skills for long-term sobriety

4. The Creation of Drug Courts
Traditional system is ineffective at addressing AOD issues
Treatment system and CJ system have a common goal: stopping drug and alcohol abuse and reducing the related criminal activity
Each system possesses unique capabilities and resources
Drug courts are among several programs implemented in this new community-based team-oriented approach
Drug and Alcohol Offenders

5. Other Community or Specialty Courts
DUI Courts
Domestic Violence Courts
Mental Health Courts
Juvenile Courts
Family Courts
Truancy Courts
Veteran's Courts

6. And the numbers are…
Totals arrests for ECSO and MHPD per Idaho State Police Data
2007 Drug Narcotic Offenses 37 Drug Narcotic Arrests 29 DUI Arrests 95 (122 filed)
2008 Drug Narcotic Offenses 58 Drug Narcotic Arrests 28 DUI Arrests 92 (127 filed)
Drug Narcotic Offenses 33 Drug Narcotic Arrests 25 DUI Arrests 92 (122 filed)
Over the last 5 years in Elmore County
Of 2510 crashes, 5% involved impaired drivers
59 of the total crashes were fatal, and 20% of those involved impaired drivers, resulting in 13 fatalities
In 2008, 11,773 people were killed nationwide in alcohol –impaired accidents.
That is equivalent to one airline crashing, killing every passenger on
Board once a week for an entire year

7. What is a Drug Court?
A team effort focusing on sobriety and accountability
The Judge is the central figure
Team is also made up of Prosecutor, Defense Counsel, Treatment Provider, Coordinator, Probation, Law Enforcement, and an Evaluator
Rules are clear and compliance is within the individual’s control
Immediate use of graduated sanctions/incentives

8. The Mission of the Elmore County Drug and DUI Court
The mission of the Elmore County Drug and DUI Court (ECDDC) is to advance the safety and well-being of our community, conserve Justice System resources and break the cycle of alcohol and drug addiction among non-violent criminal offenders. These goals will be achieved by providing offenders with comprehensive treatment and education, and increasing offender accountability through intensive court supervision designed to help participants gain control of their lives and reduce recidivism.

9. The Ten Key Components Key Component #1
Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing

10. The Ten Key Components Key Component # 2
Using a non-adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants’ due process rights

11. The Ten Key Components Key Component # 3
Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program.

12. The Ten Key Components Key Component # 4
Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and other related treatment and rehabilitation services.

13. Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing.
The Ten Key Components
Key Component #5
Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing.

14. The Ten Key Components Key Component # 6
A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants’ compliance

15. The Ten Key Components Key Component # 7
Ongoing judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential.

16. The Ten Key Components Key Component # 8
Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness.

17. The Ten Key Components Key Component # 9
Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations.

18. The Ten Key Components Key Component #10
Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances drug court effectiveness.

19. Characteristics of Drug Court Participants
Education
39% lack high school diplomas or a GED
27% have some college level education, including Associate or Bachelors Degree
25% of graduates from drug court have returned to school (GED or college)
 Drug Use and Drug Charges
15.37 years is the average number of years of drug use
$ per day is the average daily street value of drugs used
$ $1, was the recorded range of daily street value of drugs used
73.5% of participants were charged with possession of amphetamine / methamphetamine
5 % of participants were charged with possession of heroin
Graduation and Criminal Recidivism from Drug Court
53% of the Ada County participants who left the program, graduated from the program
11% of graduates have been convicted of new crimes
Age and Gender
31.51 is the average age of participants
56 years of age is the oldest participant
55% of drug court participants are male
45% of drug court participants are female
Criminality Measured by Risk Score
89% of drug court cases from Twin Falls County were assessed using the LSI-R as medium to high risk for their overall criminality and risk of future recidivism
Employment
58% of participants were unemployed at the time of entering drug court
87% of participants gained and maintained employment during drug court
$5.12 per hour represents the average hourly wage rate increase of graduates
$12, per year average annual wage increase for graduates

20. Eligibility Criteria Felony Drug Offenders Felony possession offenses
Substance abuse related crimes,
Felony probationers with substance abuse issues
DUI Offenders
First time misdemeanor DUI offenses with a BAC of .20+
Second DUI offenses or more

21. Ineligibility Felony criminal record for violence
Non-Elmore County residents
Sex offenders
Any defendant who has a significant prior conviction of a serious drug offense, such as delivery

22. Positive Side-Effects
Elmore County Friends for Recovery Council, Inc.
Fundraisers (e.g.) All Rise Open Golf Tourney
Walk for Recovery
Safe and Sober Housing (6 males upstairs) (6 females downstairs)

23. Bond Issues Post-Plea/Pre-Sentence O/R Release Post-Plea/Post-Sentence
Participant Absconds
No Bond Warrant
Non-Compliance by Partic//ipant
Sanction by Court

24. The Latest Numbers for Idaho
Fiscal 2012 (unofficial)
1,955 adult felony offenders participating in drug and M/H Court faced prison
By year end 1,711 (88%) had remained in Drug or M/H Court or graduated
These offenders were managed in the community-not prison = significant savings
Since 1998 Idaho has grown from two to 62 Drug, M/H, and Veteran’s Courts
In that time 9,646 individuals have enrolled and 4,747 have graduated
1,129 are still participating in Idaho’s problem solving Courts
2,216 felony, misdemeanor and juvenile offenders were supervised