Each participant's Drug Court program is individually tailored to address his or her specific needs. The treatment options offered include abstinence, methadone and buprenorphine programs conducted in either the community or residential rehabilitation settings.
There are four fundamental aspects that are common to each Drug Court program:
- evidence-based drug treatment
- social support and the development of living skills
- regular reports to the court regarding participant progress
- regular testing for drug use.
Phases of the Drug Court program
Each participant's program comprises three phases. Each phase has distinct goals that must be achieved before the participant graduates to the next phase of their program.
Phase 1 is the 'initiation' phase where participants are expected to reduce drug use, stabilise their physical health and cease criminal activity.
In this phase, participants are required to:
- undergo drug testing at least three times a week
- report back to the Drug Court once a week.
Read more about Phase 1 – Initiation and stabilisation
Phase 2 is the 'consolidation' phase where participants are expected to remain drug-free and crime-free, and develop life and job skills.
In Phase 2 participants are required to:
- undergo drug testing twice weekly
- report back to the Drug Court fortnightly.
Read more about Phase 2 - Consolidation
Phase 3 is the 're-integration' phase where participants are expected to gain or be ready to gain employment, and to be financially responsible.
In Phase 3 participants are required to:
- undergo drug testing twice weekly
- appear in court monthly to report progress.
Read more about Phase 3 - Re-integration
Participants are closely monitored by the court. The Drug Court team meets before court each day to receive reports from treatment providers and Probation Officers, and to discuss those participants who will be appearing that day. In the light of this discussion the Judge then speaks to each participant about his or her progress.
Phase 1 - Initiation and stabilisation
Principal goals
- Cease using drugs
- Stabilise physical health
- Cease criminal activity
Average duration
3 months
Principal means of achieving goals
- Commence and fully participate in treatment program
- Assign Community Corrections Officer
- Development case management plan
- Terminate criminal associations
- Commence and fully participate in case management program
- Attend court weekly
- Submit 3 drug tests per week
- Participate in home visits by Community Corrections Officer
Phase 2 – Consolidation
Principal goals
- Remain drug free
- Remain crime free
- Stabilise social and domestic environment
- Develop life skills including job skills
- Address major life issues
- Maintain good health
Average duration
4 months
Principal means of achieving goals
- Continue to fully participate in treatment program as updated (as necessary)
- Undergo counselling
- Complete Life Skills Management Program
- Attend court fortnightly
- Submit 2 drug tests per week
- Participate in home visits by Community Corrections Officer
- Participate in educational and/or vocational training courses
Phase 3 – Re-integration
Principal goals
- Remain drug free and accept a drug free lifestyle
- Remain crime free and accept a crime free lifestyle
- Stabilise social and domestic environment
- Gain employment or be employment ready
- Be fiscally responsible
Average duration
5 months
Principal means of achieving goals
- Complete all requirements of the treatment program
- Complete counselling
- Complete Life Skills Management Program
- Attend court monthly
- Submit 2 drug tests
- Participate in home visits by Community Corrections Officer
- Participate in educational and/or vocational training courses
- Pay or make arrangements to pay outstanding court fines and fees
