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For three decades, there has been a growing movement to transform the way the justice system responds to substance use and mental health disorders. Rather than continuing the revolving door of addiction and related crime, treatment courts break the cycle by holding individuals accountable while connecting them with the treatment and support needed to change their lives. This approach is no longer an experiment; more than 4,000 treatment courts across the nation have proven to be the most successful justice intervention in our nation's history.
May is National Treatment Court Month and the perfect opportunity to shed light on how this approach is saving lives and making our community safer. Here in Lycoming County, Mental Health Court (2008), Veteran's Treatment Court (2019), DUI Treatment Court (2005) and Drug Treatment Court (1998) are available. Treatment courts differ from traditional court because treatment providers and other public health professionals are part of the treatment teams. They ensure each person in our program receives an individualized treatment plan, and work together with the judge, defense attorneys, prosecutors, probation, and law enforcement to provide ongoing support and accountability. This approach allows the treatment courts to identify and meet individual needs beyond clinical treatment, such as education, employment, housing assistance, family reunification, restitution, and healthcare.
“I graduated DUI court in 2013 and I have 11 1/2 years sober today. There's no way that I would be sober today had I not been accepted into the program. The program provided me with the structure and foundation that I needed to accept that I was an alcoholic, and directed me to the tools I needed to recover. It forced me out of my comfort zone which for me was my biggest obstacle. I was placed in counseling to work on myself. The support meetings which were a requirement provided me with lifelong support and by working the steps I was free from the obsession of alcohol. When I share my story the thing I always say is that DUI court saved my life and gave me a new lens on living.”
This story is just one powerful reminder that when one person rises and finds recovery, we all rise. And it is just one of the thousands of individual stories that demonstrate why treatment courts are so critical in the effort to address substance use disorders and related crime. The research agrees: Numerous studies have found that treatment courts reduce crime and drug use and save money. These programs also improve education, employment, housing, financial stability, and family reunification and more. Treatment courts represent a compassionate approach to the devastation of addiction. This year's National Treatment Court Month celebration should signal that the time has come to reap the economic and societal benefits of expanding this proven solution to all in need.
Shea Madden is the executive director of the West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission.