It’s Time To Talk About

Treatment Courts, also known as Specialty Courts or Drug Courts, are diversion programs which focus on treatment, accountability, and structure rather than traditional prison sentencing for non-violent, felony offenders with substance use disorders.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), 73 out of 77 counties in Oklahoma have some form of treatment court program in operation.

Treatment Courts save Oklahoman tax payers money. BIG money. According to ODMHSAS, the average cost of one year of prison for an inmate is $19,000. Treatment Court programs cost about $5,000 a year AND the participants pay program fees AND are working, taking care of their children, paying court costs and child support, and are giving back to their communities. Outcomes for participants who complete the program are good. Overall, we see a decrease in recidivism and incarceration for program graduates statewide.

Most programs require the participant to perform some form of volunteer work while in the program. Each participant will attend self-help meetings while in the program. Participants also receive treatment services on a regular basis to facilitate recovery.

Participants who complete these programs have jobs, many have health insurance, all have sober living arrangements, many have attended school, and many are re-united with their children during the course of participation in the program.

I have personally worked in a constellation of recovery-related jobs and have seen the positive effects of this program first hand. Treatment Courts offer community level supervision, Court accountability, and treatment services to habilitate those with substance use disorders. Prison is not the answer. This program works. This program saves lives and reunites families.

For more information about Drug Courts, please visit https://www.ok.gov/odmhsas/ for state information and https://www.nadcp.org/ for national data.

This is an ongoing series by Sarah Mears-Ivy regarding substance use disorders and the social and legal issues stemming from them. Sarah knows a thing or two about addiction and recovery. Daughter, sister, and friend to many wonderful people who have battled substance use disorder, codependency, and mental health stigma. Survivor. Advocate for those who are not yet ready to fight alone.