Drug Courts: Saving Money Saving Lives

Summary

The video script discusses the effectiveness of drug courts in addressing addiction-related criminal behavior. It emphasizes the importance of treating addiction as a chronic disease rather than merely punishing it. The script highlights how drug courts provide a supportive community, frequent monitoring, and treatment, leading to reduced recidivism and cost savings. Personal stories underscore the transformative impact of these programs on individuals' lives, offering them a chance at a new, sober life.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker has been involved in math for 24 years and used drugs for seven years, highlighting the link between addiction and criminal behavior.
• 🔒 The traditional approach of incarceration is not seen as a solution to the drug problem, as it does not address the root cause of addiction.
• 🏥 Drug courts are designed for individuals with serious drug problems who can be managed safely within the community.
• 🔄 The speaker was tired of seeing repeat offenders and sought a change, which led to involvement with drug courts.
• 💉 The idea that building more jails and prisons will solve the drug problem is compared to building more cemeteries to cure cancer, indicating it's an ineffective approach.
• 🏢 The correctional system is described as crippled due to the high cost of housing individuals with drug problems and mental illnesses.
• 🚫 The speaker, a multiple DWI offender, sought change and engaged with DWI court members to address their addiction.
• 📉 DWI courts focus on changing behavior rather than just punishing it, with a model that includes weekly reviews and encouragement.
• 🤝 Drug courts emphasize collaboration among judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and corrections officials, moving away from an adversarial approach.
• 🏫 The success of drug courts is attributed to their comprehensive approach, which includes addressing not just the addiction but also other needs like housing, education, and mental health.
• 💼 Post-drug court, participants often find employment and pursue higher education, which contributes to improved public safety and reduced recidivism.

Q & A

How long has the speaker been involved in math?

The speaker has been involved in math for almost 24 years.

What is the relationship between addiction and criminal behavior as mentioned in the script?

The script suggests that addiction often leads to criminal behavior, and merely locking up addicts does not solve the underlying problem.

Why did the speaker feel the need for a change in their life?

The speaker was unhappy with their life and wanted to address the root causes of criminal behavior related to drug addiction.

What is the purpose of drug courts according to the script?

Drug courts are designed to manage individuals with serious drug problems safely within the community, providing them with necessary services and holding them accountable.

How does the traditional sentencing model differ from the approach taken in DWI courts?

Traditional sentencing models focus on punishing behavior, while DWI courts aim to change behavior by providing support, treatment, and accountability.

What is the significance of the statement 'building more jails and prisons to solve the drug addiction problem is like building more cemeteries to cure cancer'?

This statement emphasizes that incarceration is not an effective solution for drug addiction; it's akin to treating the symptom rather than the cause.

What are the costs associated with housing individuals in jails and prisons as mentioned in the script?

The script indicates that it costs around thirty thousand dollars or more per year to house individuals in jails and prisons.

What is the role of the judge in a DWI court according to the script?

In a DWI court, the judge plays an active role in the offender's progress by conducting weekly reviews and encouraging them to maintain sobriety.

What are the three factors that determine if an individual is suitable for a drug court program?

The three factors are: public safety, the severity of the individual's drug problem, and their likelihood of success with traditional interventions.

How does the collaboration in drug courts differ from traditional courts?

In drug courts, there is a greater sense of collaboration with all parties stepping back from their traditional roles to work together towards the common goal of the offender's recovery.

What is the impact of drug court participation on recidivism rates?

The script suggests that drug court participation significantly reduces recidivism rates, with 85% of participants remaining arrest-free after one year and 75-80% remaining arrest-free after two years.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 The Need for Drug Courts

The speaker discusses their 24 years of experience in math and seven years of drug addiction, highlighting the link between addiction and criminal behavior. They argue against simply locking people up and emphasize the need for change. The speaker explains the purpose of drug courts, which are designed for individuals with serious drug problems who can be managed safely in the community. The goal is to address the root cause of criminal behavior, which is often addiction. The speaker shares their frustration with the traditional justice system, which they believe is ineffective in dealing with repeat offenders. They describe the high costs of incarceration and the need for a smarter approach to crime, one that focuses on treating addiction rather than just punishment.

05:03

🤝 The Transformation of Drug Courts

This paragraph details the shift from an adversarial justice system to a collaborative one through drug courts. The speaker explains how traditional roles are set aside in favor of a cooperative approach involving judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and corrections officials. The focus is on providing support and holding individuals accountable for their actions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of treating addiction as a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment. They describe the structure of drug court, which includes regular check-ins with the judge and participation in treatment programs. The speaker also discusses the criteria for participation in drug court programs, such as the need for serious drug problems and a poor prognosis with traditional interventions. They share a personal story of sobriety and success due to the DWI court program.

10:04

🎓 The Impact of Drug Courts

The speaker shares their personal journey of sobriety and how the DWI court played a significant role in their recovery. They discuss the innovative and cost-effective nature of drug courts and how they provide hope and a chance for a new life. The paragraph also highlights the success rates of drug court programs, with 85% of participants remaining arrest-free a year after completion and 75-80% remaining arrest-free two years after. The speaker emphasizes the broader impact of drug courts on public safety and the cost savings they provide. They also mention the holistic approach of drug courts, which addresses not only the individual's criminal behavior but also their housing, mental health, child protection, and education needs.

Keywords

💡Addiction

Addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences. In the context of the video, addiction is a precursor to criminal behavior, often driving individuals to commit crimes to support their drug habits. The script mentions that addressing the root cause of addiction is crucial to preventing criminal recidivism.

💡Drug Courts

Drug Courts are specialized court programs designed to address the underlying issues of drug addiction that contribute to criminal behavior. They aim to provide treatment and support to offenders, rather than simply punishing them. The video emphasizes the effectiveness of drug courts in reducing recidivism and their role in providing a more compassionate and effective approach to criminal justice.

💡Criminal Justice System

The Criminal Justice System refers to the institutions of government responsible for ensuring criminal law is enforced, and that offenders are held accountable. The video discusses the limitations of the traditional criminal justice system in addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, particularly addiction.

💡Recidivism

Recidivism is the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend. The video highlights the high rates of recidivism among individuals with untreated addictions, and how drug courts aim to reduce this by addressing the underlying addiction.

💡Treatment

Treatment in this context refers to the therapeutic interventions provided to individuals with addiction to help them overcome their dependency. The video stresses the importance of long-term, high-intensity treatment as a key component of drug court programs.

💡Accountability

Accountability implies the obligation to report, explain, and be responsible for one's actions. In the script, drug courts hold participants accountable through frequent check-ins, drug tests, and judicial reviews, which is contrasted with traditional parole where oversight is less stringent.

💡Collaboration

Collaboration is the process of working together to achieve a common goal. The video script describes how drug courts foster a collaborative environment among judges, attorneys, and corrections officials, which is a departure from the traditional adversarial nature of the criminal justice system.

💡Sobriety

Sobriety refers to the state of not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The video celebrates sobriety milestones achieved by participants in drug court programs, indicating personal progress and a reduction in criminal behavior.

💡Mental Illness

Mental Illness encompasses a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. The script mentions that many individuals in the correctional system suffer from serious drug problems and mental illnesses, which drug courts aim to address alongside addiction.

💡Incarceration

Incarceration is the act of confining someone in prison as a punishment for a crime. The video argues against incarceration as a sole solution for drug-related crimes, advocating for drug courts as a more effective alternative.

💡Public Safety

Public Safety refers to the protection of the health, welfare, and property of the public. The script asserts that drug courts not only help individuals overcome addiction but also enhance public safety by reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

Highlights

Addiction is a precursor to criminal behavior.

Drug courts aim to manage individuals with serious drug problems safely in the community.

Incarceration alone does not solve the underlying addictions that drive crime.

Drug courts were created out of frustration with the revolving door of repeat offenders.

Most people sent to prison will return to the community, and addressing addiction is key to preventing reoffending.

Building more jails is not the solution to drug addiction; it's akin to building more cemeteries to cure cancer.

The correctional system is overburdened with individuals suffering from drug problems and mental illnesses.

Individuals with DWI offenses often require a change in behavior, not just punishment.

DWI courts focus on changing behavior through weekly reviews and encouragement.

Drug courts provide services and hold individuals accountable for treatment, reducing crime more effectively than prisons.

Addiction is a chronic brain disease that requires long-term treatment.

Drug court programs are suitable for individuals who are not violent, have serious drug problems, and have a poor prognosis with traditional interventions.

Drug courts involve a high level of collaboration among judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and corrections officials.

Drug courts provide intensive supervision, frequent drug testing, and immediate sanctions for non-compliance.

Drug courts offer a more humane approach, treating individuals with addiction as people who need help, not just punishment.

Drug courts have been successful in reducing recidivism and are cost-effective, with significant cost savings.

Individuals who complete drug court programs are more likely to be arrest-free years after completion.

Drug courts address not only the crime but also other needs such as housing, mental health, child protection, and education.

Drug courts give individuals the opportunity to succeed and improve their lives, often leading to employment and higher education.

Drug courts are life-saving and provide a chance for individuals to have a new life and be with their families again.

Transcripts

[Music]

I'd done math for almost 24 years I used

the drug for seven years addiction is a

precursor to criminal behavior

we're not just gonna solve the problem

by locking people I was not happy with

where I was at in my life I needed a

change

[Music]

this isn't soft on crime this is an

approach which is trying to be a little

smarter on how we respond to crime drug

courts were built for the individual who

can be safely managed in the community

the individuals got a serious drug

problem their drug problem is fueling

their constant involved in the criminal

justice system I got involved in drug

courts because I was just plain tired of

watching these same people coming

through over and over and over again

whether it was for a DWI and then

multiple reiha fences for violating the

court's order against drinking or

whether it was coming back repeatedly

for using marijuana or methamphetamine

and ultimately ended up in prison we

know that the vast majority of people

that are sent to prison are locked up in

a County Jail are going to get back out

into the community and if we don't

address the underlying addictions which

drive their use of illegal drugs and are

the reasons behind why they're

committing crimes we're not going to

solve the problem we're building more

jails and prisons to solve the drug

addiction problem is like building more

cemeteries to cure cancer it just

doesn't work we're in trouble

we have crippled the correctional system

in many states we've crippled state

budgets the vast majority of those

people behind bars they have serious

drug problems and mental illnesses and

we're paying thirty thousand dollars a

year or more to house them in those in

those settings I'm a multiple DWI

offender so I asked my attorney what I

needed to do I said there has to be a

change and I made a decision to come in

and meet with judge Holohan and the DWI

court members good morning welcome to

the Hennepin County DWI court the

traditional sentencing model has been to

punish behavior or an attempt to

regulate behavior what we're doing in

DWI courts is were changing behavior

when I first started manufacturing it

was to feed our own addiction and we had

spent a lot of time trying to break away

from this addiction if we put people in

jail for drug crimes when they come out

of jail two out of three of them are

going to be reinforced

and about 95% of them are going to go

right back to drug use drug courts by

keeping people in the community working

with them providing the services that

they need and holding them accountable

for attending treatment reduce crime in

a way that prison has never been able to

[Music]

DWI courts are different from

traditional courts in that in a

traditional court after I sentence

someone I never see them again in a DWI

court I have them come back for weekly

reviews as of today you've been sober 14

months durations good for you feels good

too so this is kind of turning that all

on its head and saying I'm gonna meet

with these people every week to

encourage them to keep doing well

addiction is a chronic brain disease

it affects people long after abstinence

is secured long term treatment is key in

treating addicted criminal justice

clients its high intensity in the

beginning lasts a long time and it's

frequent

who's the right individual to be in a

drug court program I would say there

were three factors factor number one

that it has to be safe to keep that

person in the community if they are a

real danger to public safety if they're

violent they don't belong in drug courts

they belong in incarceration number two

they have to have a serious drug

problems they have to have serious needs

that it's worth putting resources into

and number three they have to have a

poor prognosis in traditional

interventions if we can treat them in a

regular program then do so it's the

people that that's not enough for that

belong in drug courts it was very

important for me to get into a program

like this because I don't think that the

two years of sobriety that I'm

celebrating right now would have

happened without the DWI

[Music]

in a drug court you see a much greater

sense of collaboration we all step back

from our traditional roles in some very

meaningful ways and we work together

judge leading the process prosecutor

defense attorney the corrections

officials that are going to monitor the

offender to make sure that they're not

reusing chemicals pre drug court we

would try to keep people away from the

criminal justice system we didn't like

talking to probation agents we certainly

didn't want people to go to court and

even to the point where we would didn't

want to sign releases so we didn't have

to talk to them

we were adversarial the client viewed

that relationship with the court as

adversarial post drug court it's a whole

new ballgame

we cooperate and collaborate with

probation agents with the prosecutors

with the public defenders to work

together for the same goal when people

come into drug court I say to them you

will never be surrounded by as many

people that care about your sobriety as

you are with drug court you've got the

chance and the choice and the

opportunity to do something with that

now if you want to it's much more human

here I mean they really care about what

happens to you instead of just saying

you know what this person is a lost

cause let's send them to jail we're

saying no you're not a bad person you

have a disease and I can dislike your

behavior but I can care about you as a

person and I think that's what the

difference is

there is intensive supervision and

monitoring of these people there's

frequent drug testing they see the judge

nearly every week and are involved in

treatment these individuals are held

more accountable than the person out on

parole we have knowledge of each

participant

we obviously have their addresses were

quite aware of their curfew times it was

the structure and having the thumb of

the court on you is saying listen you

either do well or you're going to jail

if there is a problem or if somebody's

not compliant with probation through

drug court we're able to address that

right away sometimes within a day as

opposed to within the system weeks or

months later if ever you miss a call in

to your probation officer or you're not

home at the required time there's

immediate sanctions and the ultimate

sanction is being reincarnate how far it

goes to say to somebody just simply you

know you're really doing a great job

keep up the good work or to have the

rest of the their their peers in the

courtroom when they've achieved some

milestone to be clapping for them and to

say that away you know it's amazing how

far that will go to keep people mourning

[Music]

there is no community-based program that

protects Public Safety better than a

drug where that I am aware of or there's

any research on so if these people are

going to be in the community then drug

court is the safest place for them to be

out of over 120 participants we have had

two people reoffending what I mean by

that is they drank and drove again those

people were put in jail one for two

years the other for 18 months that is a

promise we make to people if you drink

and drive again you're going to jail and

all the times going to be revoked

I think drug court is successful because

we don't only deal with what what the

person what crime worth the person and

the court but we also deal with the

other needs that they have housing

you know besides drug addiction if they

have any mental health needs we deal

with whether or not they have any child

protection cases going on and try to

help coordinate that all we deal with

education I know that a drug court gave

me the opportunity to succeed because

they're the ones that suggested that I

go to college and in January I will be

starting graduate school which I never

would have dreamed of doing had they not

suggested it when they leave us most of

them are employed most of them are on

their way to higher education thereby

improving public safety and limiting the

number of contacts those individuals

will have in the future with the court

system

nationally for people who will complete

a drug court program you can expect

about 85% of them will still be arrest

free a year out and you can expect 75 to

80% of them remaining arrest free no new

arrests going out two years and and

probably longer there are studies that

have shown for every dollar you spend on

drug court you have two to five dollars

some even as high as seven dollars

across the country and cost savings on

the back end what we have found so far

with Minnesota's drug courts is a

significant reduction in recidivism and

a clear indication of cost savings right

now I've been sober two years I'm pretty

proud of that that's the long as I've

been sober since I've started drinking

that's a pretty big accomplishment for

me and I think the DWI Court had a lot

to do with that drug courts are

innovative cost-effective and successful

in treating addiction drug court had a

had a way of giving you hope drug courts

are life saving opportunity for people

to have a new life and to be with their

families again those are some of the

greatest feelings I've ever had it's

knowing I played some small part in

helping these people turn their lives

around

Oh