Experience with Family Drug Courts in Three Cities

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to describe the following components of specialized Family Drug Courts: (1) children under court supervision; (2) parent(s) named in the petition; (3) services provided and court actions taken; and (4) relapse rates. Data were collected from the court records of 65 families in three courts in Florida, Kansas, and New York. Courts differed in type of clients, sanctions used, and length of time required between drug testing. Drug testing frequency varied depending on the parent's recovery and cooperation. Test results indicated a decline in drug use in the first four months and an increased risk for relapse between the 15th and 19th weeks. Specialized Family Drug Courts show promise for an improved way to address child abuse and neglect involving parental substance use. They can also provide a unique clinical training experience for health professionals.

Factors contributing to enrollment in a family treatment court

“…It focuses on stopping the cycle of addiction as well as the patterns of neglect associated with the parents' chemical dependency (9). There are few evaluation studies of FTCs (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17); however, the limited research that exists suggests the effectiveness of FTCs. FTCs recognize that abstaining from drugs may lead to improved parenting abilities and a safe nurturing environment for children (15).…”

“…There are few evaluation studies of FTCs (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17); however, the limited research that exists suggests the effectiveness of FTCs. FTCs recognize that abstaining from drugs may lead to improved parenting abilities and a safe nurturing environment for children (15). The actual effects on parenting have not yet been shown in FTC literature, and research is needed to address this lapse.…”

“…However, FTCs have been shown to have positive effects on children and families reflected in findings related to reunification rates (11) and decreased recidivism (8). In addition, research has indicated that court cases managed by judges who grant inclusive supervision, increase monitoring, and drug test more often have decreased drug use and less recidivism than do cases that do not receive such judicial supervision (15).…”

“…Of the existing FTC evaluations, very few speak of retention (8,(10)(11)(12)15). There is virtually no literature that discusses the issue of refusing the offer of entry into the FTC (personal communication, M. Rempel, Center for Court Innovation, 23 April 2007).…”

“…Given the minimal literature that exists regarding enrollment within FTCs, review of the literature on substance-abuse treatment entry as a possible reflection of enrollment should be considered. Within the existing literature, participants who had at least one entry into treatment (94%) had more positive outcomes as opposed to the comparison group (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). This underscores the need to be more effective at recruiting individuals to enroll in the FTC when it is offered.…”