Understanding and Responding to Racial Differences in Drug Court Outcomes

Abstract

Significant differences in outcomes and characteristics exist between Caucasians and African-Americans in ten Missouri adult drug courts. Caucasians are more likely to graduate and they differ in significant ways from African-Americans in the context in which they lived their lives prior to drug court. Differences were significant between the two groups in employment levels at entry, primary drug of choice, levels of positive family support, and socioeconomic status. Using the evidence from this study, ways that treatment providers can better meet the needs of African-Americans are discussed.

Key Words:

• Drug court
• substance use
• racial differences