Drug-Court Record Is Impressive

When Orange County officials began looking for alternatives to a revolving-door system of justice for criminals addicted to drugs, skeptics abounded. But six years later, the program that evolved continues to impress.

A recently released outside analysis found that 22% of those who went through the county’s drug-court program were arrested again within one year of graduation. The number of those who went through the regular court system and were arrested again in 12 months was 34%.

The county’s success rate also is better than that of drug courts nationwide, which average a 30% recidivism rate.

When more than one of five people slip back to drugs or other crimes and the program is still counted a success, it’s clear that breaking free of an addiction is a difficult task.

One determinant for allowing addicts to enter the program is the motivation they show to get off drugs. Those eligible usually have been charged with felony possession, but do not have a record of violent crimes. Judges require that they plead guilty and be sentenced. Rather than be sent to jail, they live at home, undergo daily testing for drugs and take part in intensive counseling programs.

The program lasts at least one year. Failure means jail. That’s a powerful incentive, though not enough to keep everyone clean.

The county’s Health Care Agency and Probation Department helped put the regimen together. Police agencies also are involved, as are judges in three of the county’s five courthouses. The other two may join later.

Although the program is expensive, averaging $3,000 per year for each participant, it’s a bargain if an addict is able to get off drugs for good, stay out of jail and stop preying on society to get the money for narcotics.

Those who enroll are given counseling and directed toward jobs or academics. An important component has been encouragement from judges overseeing the courts. Addicts admit that tough judges willing to boot someone out of the program and into jail are good motivators to stay on course. Completion of the program results in striking the conviction from an offender’s record.

The analysis of the county’s drug-court program rightly attributes much of its success to the enthusiastic involvement of personnel in the county agencies involved. These are men and women with a first-hand look at the havoc caused by addiction. Their assistance to men and women motivated to end their dependence on drugs is an asset to the community.