Drug court refers to legal cases involving illegal substance use. Some drug courts are now offering diversion programs that will allow the accused to participate in court-sanctioned treatment in order to mitigate legal consequences such as jail time. Each state has its own laws and statutes related to drug offenses and the types of diversion programs offered.
While most state governments want to be seen as empathetic toward people with drug abuse or alcohol addiction issues, many just pay lip service to it. Often, those who enter the criminal justice system due to their substance abuse issues are treated like criminals. The states that do try to treat people with substance abuse issues, as opposed to putting them in jail, often underfund the program, focus only on certain types of addictions, threaten failure with too little of a penalty, or encourage success with too little of a reward. New Jersey courts, however, lead the way in substance abuse treatment for addicted criminals. Not only is there a state-funded, state-wide, comprehensive system to keep drug abusers in treatment and out of jail, but New Jersey treats certain low-level driving under the influence cases as traffic incidents rather than criminal violations. … Continue Reading
Researchers now believe that alcohol and drug addiction has a genetic component. The Kennedy family of Massachusetts is perhaps the most infamous evidence of the biological roots of alcoholism and drug use. Ted Kennedy, the democratic Senator from Massachusetts, has long struggled with an alcohol problem, as has his first wife, Joan.
Both Ted and Joan have have struggled to stay sober over the years. Their son, Patrick Kennedy, also suffers from substance abuse issues. He has previously admitted to being addicted to prescription drugs, and sought treatment for cocaine addiction when he was a teenager. Just this year he announced that he would enter alcohol rehab for yet another round of substance abuse treatment. … Continue Reading
By Millie Anne Cavanaugh, Esq
Attitudes toward drug and alcohol addiction have evolved over the years in society as a whole. While addicts and users used to be seen strictly as criminals, education and outreach programs have taught us that addiction is a disease. The treatment of addicts and alcoholics in state courts has also evolved over time. Florida has lead the way in this regard, establishing the first Drug Court and, more recently, applying the Drug Court model to habitual driving under the influence (DUI) offenders. Drug crimes are the most common type of case coming before Florida’s criminal judges today. Further, roughly 60% of those arrested are either under the influence of drugs or alcohol or have committed a crime to get drugs or alcohol. … Continue Reading
