DeKalb Drug Court By Daniel Casciato Superior Court Judge Robert Castellani was tired of seeing the same people go through his courtroom for crimes they committed as a result of drug abuse.  "They just got caught up in this cycle and couldn't break the habit," he said. "We needed to do something different to rehabilitate them."
So it was no surprise when he jumped at the opportunity to establish a drug court in DeKalb County, GA.
"When I first learned about the possibility of adding a drug court to our system, I knew this would be the right thing for us," he said.
The DeKalb County Drug Court (DCDC) formally began operation in July 2002 and has enrolled over 80 participants to date into outpatient treatment services. The DCDC is an 18 to 24 month judicially supervised drug treatment/alternative sentencing program offered by DeKalb Superior Court. The program works with non-violent, felony-level offenders whose criminal behavior was driven by drug addiction.
The DCDC has enrolled 81 participants into outpatient treatment and has retained 72 percent, or 58 participants, in the program, according to Andrew Cummings, Drug Court Director. Of the more than 50 current active participants, 58 percent have been drug free at least six months, while 28 percent have been drug free for a year or more. As for the program's eight graduates, the median "clean time" i.e., free of drugs, is just under two years.
"We're doing everything we can to match program intensity to disease intensity" said Cummings. "Also, we set the program at 18 to 24 months to give the participants a chance to stabilize in their recovery and to begin the work of rebuilding their lives."
"We're changing the way they think, act and live," said Judge Castelllani. "We also require them to get jobs after they complete the program and get reacquainted with their families."
There are certain requirements participants must meet before being accepted into the program. The candidates must have a felony charge before the DeKalb Superior Court and may not have felony convictions involving violence, drug dealing/trafficking or weapons. Additionally candidates may not have a mental health director or intellectual impairment that out-steps available treatment resources.
Judge Castellani credits the success of the program to an interdisciplinary initiative that joins the DeKalb Superior Court, District Attorney's Office, Police Department, Pretrial Services, Public Defender's Office, Sheriff's Department and DeKalb Community Service Board.
"It takes a dedicated team to approach in order for this program to succeed," said Judge Castenllani. "You also need people who are willing to take a look at things differently."
The team is actively involved in day-to-day programs operations and acts as a custodial board of directors providing policy oversight and working closely with the Drug Court Coordinator.
"Everyone in the program volunteers their time on top of their other professional responsibilities," said Cummings.
The team has to attend a weekly drug court program staffing and court calendar, as well as periodic trainings.
According to Judge Castellani and Cummings, at the current operational level, the DCDC treatment model cost approximately $19 per day for each participant.
"On average, it costs about $50 per day to incarcerate a criminal," said Judge Castellani. "So there is a definite cost benefit for the community by treating the participants through the drug court."
Judge Castellani added that there are still some areas for improvement. The DCDC is committed to the following program goals and developed initiatives: - Increase program capacity to 75 participants by spring of 2005;
- Stabilize program funding through increased regional and county support, as well as corporate and private donations;
- Implement a three-year program evaluation and data management project with Georgia State University, School of Social Work;
- Improve coordination with county and state supportive services to develop educational and employment resources for participants;
- Increase community involvement in programs through special taskforce committees and mentorship and service projects for participants;
- Increase supportive programming for families and children through cooperative projects with the DeKalb Juvenile Court, local universities and regional service providers;
- Increase community supervision of participants though an initiative with the DeKalb Police Department and the establishment of Drug Court case management services;
- Develop transitional and long-term housing resources for participants;
- Partner with county governments, other drug courts and state and local resources to host targeted training sessions on addiction and treatment, program evaluation and best practices; and
- Explore the inclusion of additional program treatment tracks, including shorter term, lower intensity treatment services and dual-diagnosis (mental illness and addiction) services.
Despite the challenges they face, Cummings said that drug court has been the most effective treatment in rehabilitating drug addicts.
"We've been making great progress so far," he said. "The most important thing we've taught them is that they could overcome this and become a productive member of society.
Judge Castellani agreed. "It's been very gratifying," he said. "We feel that we're making a difference in their lives."
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