Welcome to the WSADCP

The Washington State Association of Drug Court Professionals is committed and dedicated to furthering the Drug Courts and Therapeutic Specialty Court model in the State of Washington. The WSADCP is committed to doing this through education and advocacy throughout the state of Washington. Drug Courts link the courts, criminal justice and treatment to improve accountability by treating non-violent substance abusing offenders making the community a safer place to live.

Why Drug Courts?   Because Drug Courts Work!

Drug Courts Reduce Crime:

Nationwide, 75% of Drug Court graduates remain arrest-free at least two years after leaving the program.

Rigorous studies examining long-term outcomes of individual Drug Courts have found that reductions in crime last at least 3 years and can endure for over 14 years.

The most rigorous and conservative scientific “meta-analyses” have all concluded that Drug Courts significantly reduce crime as much as 35 percent more than other sentencing options.

Drug Courts Save Money:

Nationwide, for every $1.00 invested in Drug Court, taxpayers save as much as $3.36 in avoided criminal justice costs alone.

When considering other cost offsets such as savings from reduced victimization and healthcare service utilization, studies have shown benefits range up to $12 for every $1 invested.

Drug Courts produce cost savings ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 per client. These cost savings reflect reduced prison costs, reduced revolving-door arrests and trials, and reduced victimization.

In 2007, for every federal dollar invested in Drug Court, $9.00 was leveraged in state funding.               www.nadcp.org/learn/drug-courts-work