Drug Court Organization and Operations

Abstract

This chapter explains the typical organization of a drug court and the everyday operation of the program. Drug courts are a team effort in which various organizations that are not accustomed to working in concert must work together so that the clients can achieve sobriety, eliminate criminal behaviors, stay out of the criminal justice system, and become productive members of the community. The basic organization of a drug court is the bedrock of the program. Although the concept of drug court is flexible enough to be adapted to the needs and laws of any jurisdiction, the principles enumerated herein have been proven to work, and there is no need to reinvent the basics.