Press Release

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(Washington, D.C.)—John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and President Bush's "Drug Czar," today issued the following statement regarding Drug Court funding.

"We know that drug courts save lives by referring non-violent drug offenders into court supervised drug treatment programs instead of jail. The dramatic increase in the number of drug courts nationwide since 1991 shows how successful these programs have been. We need to ensure that more communities across the nation have access to this successful program. Not only do drug courts save lives, but they save taxpayer dollars and reduce recidivism. Drug courts are an important part of our balanced strategy to reduce drug use in America."

"With the support of Congress, President Bush has successfully increased funding for drug courts by 100 percent over the last three years and although we are disappointed that one of the most successful parts to the National Drug Control Strategy was not funded at the requested level, we look forward to working with Congress next year to fully fund this program."

Since their inception, drug court programs, which bring a public health approach to a law enforcement challenge, have grown from one drug court in 1989 to more than 1,600 today in all 50 states. The main goal of a drug court is not to prosecute, but to provide a way for the offender to change behaviors—in other words, stay off of drugs and out of the criminal justice system. The drug court forms a support system to build a safety net for the participating offender comprised of court and treatment professionals, as well as other social service providers. A program is custom-made for each offender to start his or her own path to recovery. Typical drug courts provide intensive judicial supervision as well as community supervision, routine drug testing, treatment services, and immediate sanctions and services.