Drug courts help participants address their underlying illicit drug problems with the aid of a court team and community agencies and with ongoing judicial case management, which can be for more than a year. Some courts will also assist in relation to alcohol problems alone or when the participant has both alcohol and illicit drug problems. Drug courts offer community or residential based rehabilitation - sometimes in custody - and work collaboratively with community and justice agencies to promote this service. Drug courts often use a system of sanctions and incentives to promote participant compliance. A breach point system is one mechanism they use for promoting compliance. Graduation ceremonies, the use of applause in court to recognise participant achievement and the use of behavioural contracts are also common features of drug courts.

Resources

Australian Capital Territory Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List
New South Wales Drug Court
New Zealand Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court  
Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court
South Australia Drug Court
Victorian Drug Court 
Western Australian Drug Court

Australian Institute of Criminology. Court Drug Diversion Initiatives Conference, Brisbane, 25-26 May 2006.

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