The report describes the 10 key components of a drug court and provides performance benchmarks for each component. It was developed through a cooperative agreement between OJP, DCPO, and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, which convened the Drug Court Standards Committee. The Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators, and several states have adopted the key components. More than 14,000 copies of the key components document have been distributed. The document has been used at more than 60 Federal, State, or locally sponsored drug court training conferences.
Drug courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing.
Using a nonadversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel promote public safety while protecting participants due process rights. Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the drug court program. Drug courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and related treatment and habilitation services. Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing. A coordinated strategy governs drug court responses to participants compliance.