The “Drug Court Strengthening Families” Program

Abstract

Drug Courts were implemented in response to the rising incarceration rate of substance abusers. The Drug Court program is an intensive substance abuse treatment and criminal justice monitoring program. Children of Drug Court clients are at double risk-not only have their parents been substance abusers, they are also involved in the criminal justice system. This paper summarizes the results of a program needs assessment, process evaluation, and outcome evaluation of the Kentucky Drug Court Strengthening Families Pilot Program. Results indicated overall positive changes for families which resulted from the program. Several limitations and problems were identified and recommendations are offered for Drug Court and other programs that target the children of substance abusers involved in the criminal justice system. The Kentucky Drug Court Strengthening Families Program provided an opportunity to prevent substance abuse for critically at-risk adolescents and pre-adolescents.

Key Words:

• At-risk children
• drug court
• family risk factors
• family strengthening interventions
• needs assessment
• substance abuse prevention