About Drug Court
Reno County Drug Court Mission Statement
The mission of the Reno County Drug Court is to be part of a continuum of services to assist qualified offenders in initiating and sustaining positive long-term substance abuse life style changes.
Giving participants the skills and education to gain control of their lives will reduce the cycle of recidivism, promote offender accountability, advance public safety, and conserve justice system resources.
About
The Reno County Drug Court serves felony drug offenders who are at high-risk for committing continued crimes in Reno County because of drug dependency. Drug courts are a collaborative effort between community social service agencies, recovery community support, and the criminal justice system to rehabilitate the habitual offender.
This collaboration serves as a holistic approach to address areas of need in the offender’s life. These services are delivered in an environment of accountability and responsibility. As a result, offenders remain engaged in treatment longer, and gain the necessary skills to sustain their newfound role as a productive member of the community.
Why Drug Court?
According to local statistics, about 80% of the jail population has an addiction issue.
Repeat offenders commit the majority of crime. Drug Court targets repeat offenders with an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Since 2011, 81% of Reno County Drug Court graduates have not been rearrested. And of those that don’t complete drug court successfully, 51% have not been rearrested. Drug Court has an impact whether or not the participant completes the program.
We know that imprisonment does not cure addiction. Of those imprisoned, approximately 95% will return to drug use after release.
Drug Courts are cost effective. According to a WSU study, the Reno County Drug Court program costs approximately $4,808 per participant. Incarceration in Kansas costs an average of $24,506.
How Drug Court Works
Eligible drug-addicted persons may be sent to Drug Court in lieu of traditional justice system case processing. Drug Courts keep individuals in treatment long enough for it to work, while supervising them closely. For a minimum term of one year, participants are:
- provided with intensive treatment and other services they require to get and stay clean and sober;
- held accountable by the Drug Court judge for meeting their obligations to the court, society, themselves and their families;
- regularly and randomly tested for drug use;
- required to appear in court frequently so that the judge may review their progress; and
- rewarded for doing well or sanctioned when they do not live up to their obligations.
How does Drug Court help Reno County?
- Treat substance use disorders
- Treat mental health needs
- Deliver services for lifelong recovery
- Secure education, employment, and housing
- Produce tax-paying, productive citizens
- Break the cycle of addiction in families
- Reduce re-arrests and re-incarcerations
- Reduce substance use and overdose
- Reduce emergency room admissions
- Reduce foster care placements