New Michigan House Fiscal Agency Report Discusses Benefits of Drug Treatment Courts

Proponents of drug treatment courts argue that, along with the benefits that come with reduced crime and drug abuse, these increased costs are offset by reductions in recidivism among drug treatment court participants. The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) estimates that 17.62 percent of drug treatment court participants had been convicted of a new offense within four years of being admitted into a drug treatment court program, compared to 25.41 percent in a similar comparison group.3 Additionally, SCAO estimates that 44% of participants improved their employment status, and 26% improved their education levels after being admitted into a drug treatment court program.


Along with benefits to participants, state and local governments also receive potential cost savings from drug treatment court operations. Primarily, these costs are associated with reductions in recidivism and reoffending. If drug treatment court participants commit fewer offenses, costs are reduced due to decreases in county jail and state prison populations, as well as costs related to the increase in criminal caseload on local courts.

Reports on sample drug treatment courts in Michigan provide some evidence of the cost and savings tradeoffs associated with drug treatment courts. In 2006, NPC Research conducted evaluations of Kalamazoo and Barry County's drug treatment courts.  The study found increased upfront costs for drug treatment courts combined with notable savings over the course of two years.

(The full House Fiscal Agency Report is located at:

http://house.michigan.gov/hfa/PDFs/Drug%20Court%20Swift%20and%20Sure%20Memo.pdf