Drug Court

Drug Court

What is Drug Court	Treatment and Self-Help Sites
Mission	History
Why We Need Drug Court	About Adult Felony Drug Court
Docket/Court Schedule	Program Material/Forms
FAQ	News/Articles/Research
Related Sites	Committees
Announcements	Employment
Contact Us	Helpful Numbers
Cost/Benefit Study

What is Drug Court

The Drug Court is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to drug dependant individuals whose dependence has brought them into contact with the Criminal Justice System. Consistency and focus is provided by a single Drug Court Judge and dedicated program staff in order to bring about completion of all treatment, education and employment requirements.

Mission

To divert alcohol and drug abusing non-violent felony offenders from the normal criminal justice process by providing frequent judicial oversight, intensive supervision, and treatment through a holistic approach to positively impact offender lifestyle and community safety.

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History

Since the mid-1970's, many state and local criminal justice systems have been inundated with felony drug cases. Court dockets have become overloaded with drug cases and drug-involved offenders, leaving fewer resources available to adjudicate serious, violent felonies. During this same period, it has become increasingly clear that: (1) incarceration in and of itself does little to break the cycle of illegal drug use and crime, and offenders sentenced to incarceration for substance related offenses exhibit a high rate of recidivism once they are released; and (2) science-based drug abuse treatment is demonstrably effective in reducing both drug addiction, drug-related crime, and a variety of other tax supported human services while increasing employment and taxes paid.

Beginning in the late 1980's, a number of jurisdictions have rethought their approach to handling defendants charged with drug and drug-related offenses and have developed "drug courts" for non-violent offenders whose involvement with the criminal justice system is due, primarily, to their drug abuse and addiction. Defendants eligible for the drug court program are identified as soon as possible after arrest and, if accepted into the program, are referred immediately to a multiphase out-patient treatment program entailing multiple weekly (often daily) contacts with the treatment provider for counseling, therapy and education; frequent urinalysis (usually at least weekly), frequent status hearings before the drug court judge (bi-weekly and more often at first); and a rehabilitation program entailing vocational, educational, family, medical, and other support services.

The St. Louis Adult Felony Drug Court was implemented on April 7, 1997, after five months of intense planning and awards of funds from the City of St. Louis' Local Law Enforcement Block Grant and from the United States Department of Justice through its discretionary grant program. In October 1998 a Juvenile Drug Court was instituted and in January of 2002, a Family Drug Court was instituted. Current funding is provided from City of St. Louis General Funds through the Circuits annual budget request, Local Law Enforcement Block Grant through the city, State of MO Division of Youth Services, and the Office of the State Court Administrator.

The St. Louis Adult Felony Drug Court comprises an active caseload of approximately 370 defendants charged with drug related crimes. The Juvenile Drug Court comprises an active caseload of between 15-20. The Family Drug Court comprises an active caseload of between 15-20 participants. There are currently over 400 active participants in the drug courts.

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Why We Need Drug Court

Drug use is a very serious problem in St. Louis and a key contributor to the high levels of crime. In 2002, the city was ranked number one for America's Most Dangerous Cities in that the crime level was worse than the national average. Levels of drug usage, drug types, number/types of drug arrests, and the economic costs to society are just some of the measures used to define the drug problem in our area. The St. Louis Drug Court acknowledges the significant correlation between drug use and crime and continues to make concerted efforts to diminish the problem.

Adults

A recent study reveals that 65 percent of all arrestees are under the influence of at least one drug when committing their crime. The fact is that everyone in the judiciary has learned that drug abuse and addiction impacts virtually every docket in every court in our nation. For several decades, drug use has shaped the criminal justice system. Drug offenders have moved through the criminal justice system in a predictable pattern: arrest, prosecution, conviction, incarceration, release and, for a large portion, reoffense...and then the process starts over again. This pattern has resulted in unprecedented building of jails and prisons unmatched in the world.

As of June 2002, substance abuse offenders comprised nearly one-fourth (22%) of all Missouri prison inmates¹. Of the total 29,771 incarcerated offenders, distribution/delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance constituted the most offenses, which carries an average year's sentence of 8.3 years¹. Missouri's estimated annual economic cost to society from drug abuse is $2.3 billion. The benefits of the drug court programs relative to its costs are evident and compelling. As of July 1, 2000, 1,147 individuals graduated from Missouri drug courts at an average cost to the state of $5,042 a person; and drug court participants are still able to work and pay taxes. The cost of incarceration for these individuals would have been at least $14,000 a year per person. Moreover, the recidivism rate for drug court graduates is about 5% compared to about 45% for those not in drug court³.

In comparison, the city of St. Louis incurred 4,855 drug arrests in 2001 with 501 (10%) being incarcerated and 1,743 (36%) being put on probation/parole². Since 2001, drug arrests have continued to rise. Cocaine is the primary drug problem in St. Louis with marijuana ranking second. Moreover, ready availability and extensive demand for these drugs will continue to be major threats to St. Louis. Regarding mortality, of the sixty-seven total drug related deaths in 2001, thirty-four were associated with cocaine, denoting the added danger involved with this drug.

Juveniles

It should be noted that most research on the prevalence of illicit drugs is obtained via surveys distributed at public schools. Given that dropping out of school is highly correlated with drug use and crime; such data is likely to be understated. This reality alone presents a major cause of concern for St. Louis.

"Youth substance abuse can lead to many other problems, including the development of delinquent behavior, anti-social attitudes, and health-related issues. These problems not only affect the child, but can also influence the child's family, community, and ultimately society"⁴. The Missouri 2002 Student Survey shows that almost 80% of Missouri students have illegally tried alcohol by the time they completed 12th grade and nearly 14% of students reported use of marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, or hallucinogens in the past 30 days while 28.2% reported lifetime use. High school seniors reported the highest use of cocaine, which exceeded the 2001 national rate. Sophomores also ranked higher than the national average for use in last 30 days. In 2001, over fifty percent of Missouri's high school seniors had used marijuana while twenty-four percent were currently using. Again, these numbers ranked above the national average indicating a prominent need for treatment and control. Overall, juvenile court referrals for adolescent alcohol/drug offenses and violent offenses continue to increase.

Notably, the highest risks ascertained for the city of St. Louis are juvenile arrest rates for drug possession and juvenile arrest rates for violent crimes; the only other significant risk is the percentage of high school dropouts which was at almost 17% from 2000-2001². Since 2001, drug arrests have continued to increase. Furthermore, the St. Louis area assumed the highest rate of lifetime and past month use of illicit drugs in all of Missouri at 34.6% and 17.4% respectively.

Family

A basis for intervention with drug-exposed infants is the belief that the mother will abuse or neglect the child in the future; hence, the imperative need to control the levels of drug abuse among pregnant mothers. Nationally, among pregnant women aged 15 to 44 years, 3.7 percent reported using illicit drugs within the last month (based on the combined 2000 and 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse samples). This rate was significantly lower than the rate among women aged 15 to 44 who were not pregnant (8.3 percent). Among pregnant women aged 15 to 17, the rate of use was 15.1 percent, nearly equal to the rate for non-pregnant women of the same age (14.1 percent).

In 2001, two hundred and fifty-five babies were born drug affected in Missouri². While these numbers have steadily declined since 1995, the drug court works to continue the effort. The Missouri Division of Family Services reported that almost 15% of the probable cause incidents in Missouri were due to drug and alcohol related problems⁶. In addition, in thirty-eight percent of the child fatality cases in 2000, drugs and alcohol were determined to be the primary risk factor.

In St. Louis city, cocaine is the most often used drug by females; hence the high number of cocaine-affected babies. Regarding child placement, 18% (117 of 649) of out-of-home placements of children were due to parental drug use in 2000². Another 5.7% of placements were attributed to a combination of drug and alcohol use by the parent(s).

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About Adult Felony Drug Court

You can view the PDF version of the Drug Court Adult Participant Manual by clicking the Drug Court Participant's Manual PDF. This PDF file will open in a new window.

This PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Docket/Court Schedule

Tuesday	Adult Felony Drug Court	10:30 AM
	Adult Felony Drug Court	3:00 PM
Wednesday	Adult Felony Drug Court	10:30 AM
	Adult Felony Drug Court	3:00 PM
	Adult Felony Drug Court	6:00 PM
Thursday	Orientation	11:30 AM

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Program Materials / Forms

Participant's Handbook - Adult Felony Drug Court
10 Key Components

Policies and Procedures Manual
Drug Court Contract - Adult Felony Drug Court
Drug Court Contract - Juvenile Drug Court
Drug Court Contract - Family Felony Drug Court
Court Order for Residential Drug Treatment
Drug Court Defendant Waiver Form
Non-acceptance Form for Drug Court and Transfer to Division 25
Bond Reduction
Capias
Termination from Drug Court

Court Order for Community Service
Court Order for Jail
Court Order for Medium Security Institution Freeway Program
Release from Custody Form
Relapse Prevention Plan
Bond Reinstatement/Personal Recognizance Form
Sherriff's Release for Traffic Holds
Drug Court Progress Report Form (MIS)
Graduation Certificate

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FAQ

Does Drug Court Work?	How long is Drug Court?
Who is on the Drug Court Team?	What happens at Graduation?
What does treatment include?	Will my charges be dismissed if I complete Drug Court?
Who qualifies to participate in Drug Court?	How do I request Drug Court?
Is there a Drug Court fee?	Is this a "Soft-on-Crime" Prevention Program?

Does Drug Court Work?

Drug Court Research Shows:
(National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Columbia University, June 1998)

Drug courts provide more comprehensive and closer supervision of the drug-using offender than other forms of community supervision
Drug use and criminal behavior are substantially reduced while clients are participating in drug court.
Criminal behavior is lower after program participation, especially for graduates.
Drug courts generate cost savings, at least in the short term, from reduced jail/prison use, reduced criminality and lower criminal justice system costs. $10 savings for every $1 spent on drug court.
Drug courts have been quite successful in bridging the gap between the court and the treatment/public health systems and spurring greater cooperation among the various agencies and personnel within the criminal justice system, as well as between the criminal justice system and the community.

300,000+ Adults, 12,500 Juveniles Enrolled in Drug Courts to Date
(Office of Justice Programs Drug Court Clearinghouse and Technical Assistance Project, November 2002)

73,000 Adult, 4,000 Juvenile Graduates
70% Retention Rate
75% Previously Incarcerated
1000 Drug Free Babies Born
3,500 Parents who Regained Custody of Children
4,500 Re-engaged in Child Support Payments
73% Retained or Obtained Employment

Who is on the Drug Court Team?

Adult Felony Drug Court Team
Commissioner
Drug Court Administrator
Drug Court Coordinator
Circuit Attorney
Diversion Managers
Treatment Program Representatives
Other Professionals

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What Does Treatment Include?

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Case Management - G.E.D., Health
Job training and employment assistance
Random urine drug testing
Education
Placement in residential/detox treatment facilities
Placement in outpatient treatment facilities
Narcotics Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

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Who qualifies to participate in drug court?

Assessment of defendants for Drug Court eligibility are based on the following criteria:
The defendant has been charged with a felony drug or alcohol offense or related offense.
The defendant was motivated by alcohol and/or drug abuse to commit the offense
The defendant has an alcohol or drug abuse problem based on a urine screen and/or treatment screening
There is no evidence of significant and substantial drug dealing
The defendant understands the rigors of the program; agrees to participate and pay the Drug Court fee.
The defendant does not have a violent charge or history.
The offense is primarily a victimless offense or the victim agrees that the defendant can enter the program.
The defendant must not be currently on probation or parole.
The defendant has no more than three previous felony convictions.

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Who Pays for Drug Court?

There is a $250 Drug Court fee that you must pay while in the program. Payments are to be made directly to the clerk/cashier in Room 102 on the first floor of the court building. The cashier will give you a receipt to show to the Commissioner each time you make a payment. Try to pay a small amount (at least $5) each time you come to court. If you are doing well in the program, the Commissioner might reward you by giving you credits on your Drug Court fee.

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How long is drug court?

Adult Felony Drug Court

Path I minimum of 3 weeks
Path II minimum of 4 months
Path III minimum of 6 months

Total minimum time is 11 months

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What Happens at Graduation? / Will my charges be dismissed if I complete drug court?

Graduation ceremonies take place every other month to recognize the accomplishments of the graduates. At this ceremony, a defendant who successfully completes the Drug Court Program will have his or her original case dissolved. Family and friends are invited to the graduations as well as community leaders and those interested in witnessing positive changes in the community. This program is an excellent example of what cooperation between criminal justice agencies can achieve in establishing a swift and fair justice system that results in the rehabilitative, most cost-effective adjudication of defendants at the least expense to the taxpayers.

How do I request drug court?

Ask your attorney/public defender or judge if drug court is an option in your case. If yes, the judge will refer you for a drug court assessment to determine your eligibility.

Adult Drug Court Locations in Missouri (37)
Adair County Barton County Benton County Butler County Boone County Buchanan County Callaway County Cape Girardeau County Chariton County	Christian County Clark County Clay County Cole County Douglas County Dunklin County Franklin County Greene County Jackson County	Jefferson County Lafayette County Linn County Mississippi County Nodaway County Newton County Ozark County Pettis County Scott County	Saline County St. Charles County St. Louis City St. Louis Municipal St. Louis County Stoddard County Sullivan County Taney County Vernon County Wright County

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Is This a "Soft-on-Crime" Prevention Program?

Drug Courts across the country rely on sanctions, including terms of incarceration and increased drug testing and supervision, to respond to program failure. They provide comprehensive hands-on supervision and monitoring and require far more contact with the judicial personnel than any other case management approach. In addition, the programs require participation in drug testing, educational and rehabilitation classes (and often more time in custody) than have ever been required before. Drug Courts are tougher on offenders; it is hard work getting and staying clean and sober.

News/Articles/Research

More articles coming soon!

Treatment and Self-Help Sites

Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous
Marijuana Anonymous
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Prevline: Prevention Online
Rational Recovery Society

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Committees

By-laws (see attachment)

Circuit Drug Court Committee
Judge Joan Burger
Judge Patricia Cohen
Judge Barbara Peebles
Judge Edward Sweeney

Advisory Board
Barbara Baker
Debra Carnahan
James R. Dowd
Robert Haire, III
Katrina Jones
Susan Littlefield
Pam Ross
Earlyne McCalister
Thomas
Kateem Waheed
John Frisella
Nancy Dickinson
McKinley Johnson
Larry J. Moran
Robert Schnitzer, Jr.
Clayvon Wesley
Frank Williams

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Announcements

Coming Soon

Employment

Sorry there are no current listings

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St. Louis Drug Court
Carnahan Courthouse
1114 Market, Room 526
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 622-4924
(314) 552-7667 fax

Helpful Numbers

Drug Court Office	622-4924
Drug Court Fax	552-7667
Drug Court Clerk	613-7183
Drug Court Administrator	589-6702
Drug Court Coordinator
Main Office Family Drug Court	641-8653 552-2106
Diversion Manager's Office	340-6999
Public Defender's Office	340-7625
Treatment Liaison	641-8697
Global Drug Testing Drop Line	231-8029 992-0858

Global Map

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Last updated: 12/4/2009 2:22 pm