"Drug Treatment Courts In An Evolving Magistracy"

By Victor Roach, President, The Caribbean ICPA Bloc Member,

The International Association of Drug Treatment Courts

 The OECS Biennial Magistrates Conference 2007

What is our Philosophical Base?

Punishment

or

Rehabilitation

What if we JUST put them in What if we JUST put them in PRISON?PRISON?

29.9% of prisoners released in 1998 in 15 states were rearrested within 6

months and 67% are rearrested within 3 years. (BJS, 2002)

What if we JUST refer them to What if we JUST refer them to TREATMENT?TREATMENT?

Attrition

• 50% to 67% don’t show for intake

• 40% to 80% drop out in 3 months

• 90% drop out in 12 months

Outcomes

• 40% to 60% of clients abstinent at 1 year

(TRI, 2003)

The prison population in the US has increased over 1,000% in the past 30+ years

1970 200,000 prisoners1980 400,000 prisoners1984 800,000 prisoners

1995 1,600,000 prisoners2002 2,166,260 prisoners

2004 2,186,230 prisoners

Drug Court/Team

• Magistrate

• Probation

• Prosecution

• Defense

• Treatment/Counseling

Eligible Persons

• Charged with drug offence

• Facts/Antecedents show assistance needed

• Appears drug-dependent

• Other criteria

Ineligibility

• Drug traffickers

• Violent conduct/Sexual offences

• Prescribed Offense

Preconditions

• Person is eligible

• Antecedents facilitate entry

• Person informed and consents

• Person accepts condition

• Sentence suspended

Discharge

• His request

• Court Advice

• Charged with other offences

Awards

• Conferral of special privileges

• Change in frequency of counseling/treatment

• Decreased Supervision

• Reduction in testing

Sanctions

• Withdrawal of privilege

• Change in treatment frequency

• Increased supervision

• Increased testing

• Imprisonment

• Change in Vocational/Social Services Attendance

Immunity

No prosecution for

• Admissions made for acceptance

• Admissions in referral court

• Admissions pursuant to supervision

Jurisdiction

Magistrates in drug courts shall have all

powers of a magistrate sitting in a

criminal jurisdiction

Benefits of Drug Courts

Drug Courts Increase Retention in Treatment

Benefits of Drug Court:

Drug Courts Reduce

Criminal Involvement

Benefits of Drug Court:

Drug Courts Save Money

Judicial Council Appoints Task Force

• Magistrate• Police• Chief Parliamentary Counsel• National Drug Council• Bar Association• Treatment• Registrar• Probation Service• Public Prosecution

Join the CADCP

The Caribbean Association of Drug Court Professionals seeks to :

• Reduce the impact of substance abuse• Advocate for drug courts• Share information• Provide training and support

Drug Court Conference

Date May 28-31, 2008

Venue The Americas Center

St. Louis

Missouri, USA

Deadline April 25, 2008

Fee $350.00 US before deadline

Commitment

Don’t think that it will take other than a few committed persons to change the world, for that is the only thing that will.

--Margaret Mead

Victor RoachMotivator, Counselor, Lecturer Phone: (246) 421 3784Email : ncpadd@hotmail.com