Drug Courts: A Revolution in Criminal Justice (1999)

The 1999 report, “Drug Courts; A Revolution in Criminal Justice,” discusses the impact of drug courts on the criminal justice system, emphasizing a shift towards treatment-first approaches and away from incarceration as the primary consequence for nonviolent criminal offenses. It highlights the key components of drug courts, their effectiveness in reducing drug abuse and related crime, and the need for broader implementation. The report also addresses the development of specialized courts for juveniles and the expansion of treatment programs for nonviolent criminal offenders, all evidence-based strategies for reducing drug abuse and drug-related crime nationwide.