Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain and Addiction

Neither Justice nor Treatment, Drug Courts in the United States
Physicians for Human Rights

There are more than 3,100 drug courts operating in the United States. But while the courts’ proponents say they reduce recidivism for people with substance use disorders, critics say the system abuses due process, often mandates treatment for people who don’t actually need it – people without drug dependence – and fails to provide quality care to many who do.   Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) assessed the availability and quality of substance use disorder treatment through drug courts in three states – Florida, New Hampshire, and New York – and found major obstacles in all three states.  Overall, PHR found that drug courts largely failed at providing treatment to those who truly needed it, and filled up limited treatment spaces with court-mandated patients who didn’t always need the care.   In many cases, court officials with no medical background mandated inappropriate treatment, or mandated treatment for people who didn’t need it. In all cases, the functioning and mandate of the drug courts posed significant human rights concerns...