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Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment

Substance abuse is an ongoing epidemic. It includes drug and alcohol addiction---two crucial issues the government has attempted to eradicate. The government has been unsuccessful in eradication, but has implemented measures to assist in the war on substance abuse. When a drug offender is arrested, the judge generally orders him to undergo treatment. It is a controversial issue.

  1. The Definition

    • Court-ordered treatment is also known as "coerced treatment"---the substance abuser is forced to undergo treatment ordered by the courts. The reasoning is the abuser does not possess the motivation or discipline necessary to seek treatment on her own, let alone overcome her addiction. This method is often a relief to family members who tried unsuccessfully to get the abuser to accept treatment.

    TASC

    • Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (TASC) is a vital aspect of court-ordered substance abuse treatment. When an abuser is charged or convicted of a non-violent crime, TASC provides referrals for drug-treatment programs and oversees the abuser's case. TASC also helps local law enforcement to resolve any issues they have with a drug treatment program.

    Categories

    • Every substance abuse case is different. Therefore the state courts devised a system categorizing drug treatment programs as it relates to each person's needs. Example: some offenders on parole are monitored through urine testing, some are sent to community treatment centers, while others are treated in prison.

    Controversy

    • A paradox surrounds court-ordered substance abuse treatment. The process states that the abuser must receive treatment. Many view the actual treatment as a positive thing, yet simultaneously believe no one should be forced into treatment. Still, statistics reflect that substance abusers undergoing court-ordered treatment remain in treatment longer and have a lower relapse rate.

    Drug Courts

    • During the late 1980s, state courts changed their approach in handling substance offenders. They formed a separate court, "Drug Court," where treatment, and not crime, is the main focus. Drug court intervention is less costly than using the criminal justice system to process an offender. The benefits include: reduced drug use, more drug-free babies and a reduced relapse rate.

    End Result

    • Substance abuse is a chronic disease. Though court-ordered treatment has a respectable success rate, there is no guarantee. Many addicts defy the courts in favor of staying addicted. Hence, the offender magnifies his troubles, as he repeatedly violates the law. Often, he ends up in prison.

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