Drug Courts Are Highly Successful, But ...

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) today held an early-morning press conference in Miami to commemorate the 20th anniversary of a movement that started in Dade County and has seen formidable growth. At today's event, former ONDCP director Gen. Barry McCaffrey was expected to call for enough drug court programs so that one would be within reach of every American in need. Over the course of the day, drug court program participants in 33 states were to be named graduates, in ceremonies filled with family pride as well as more than a few pats on the back for policy-makers who embrace the drug court's tough but treatment-focused model. The impact of drug courts on the justice and treatment systems over the past two decades cannot be diminished. But today's events also make me wonder: Shouldn't prominent, respected leaders in drug treatment and policy extend McCaffrey's argument and simply call for an available treatment slot for anyone who needs it, regardless of whether the person ever has had contact with law enforcement and the courts? And if the nation could muster the will to do that, would we need a drug court around every corner?