Portland had the nation's second drug court. If the client completes treatment, then charges are dismissed. If a participant does not comply with the program, then he or she is convicted of the drug offense and sentenced to jail and probation. Rather than only meting out penalties, drug courts enable people to get back on the right path. Essential human services to successful completion include alcohol and other drug treatment, mental health services, drug-free housing, health care, and basic needs such as food and clothing.
Drug courts save money.
A 1998 Multnomah County study found that drug-court graduates had 80 percent fewer felony arrests and 85 percent fewer subsequent drug arrests within one year. Our Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs provides funding for treatment of drug-court participants in four Oregon communities and is working with state and local officials to establish drug courts across the state. It is what someone described as a hippo-sized law. The focus is on moving information efficiently and privately along cables, wires and airwaves. It provides for penalties for wrongful disclosure.