Sacramento County's post-plea Drug Court started as a demonstration project in May of 1995.  California's Judicial Council and the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs sponsor the Drug Court Partnership.  The Sacramento Drug Court provides comprehensive substance-abuse treatment for non-violent offenders. The Drug Court program consists of four treatment phases that include counseling groups, nutrition classes, individual therapy, self-help meetings, and random drug testing. A basic tenet of the Drug Court is that clients must comply with all treatment protocols. Positive drug tests and/or excessive program violations result in sanctions including attending court proceedings, spending time in jail, or program termination. Sacramento County's Drug Court has served over 1,200 clients since March of 1996.

Children and Family Futures, Inc. has been awarded Sacramento County's three-year Drug Court evaluation contract. Phase I of the evaluation involves the determination of demographic and functional characteristics of Drug Court graduates and dropouts, using several state-approved, self-report instruments. Phase II of the evaluation used secondary data to compare the recidivism rates, employment status, child welfare involvement and public welfare utilization of the Phase I sample.  The baseline characteristics, related to positive outcomes in these areas were also determined. A longitudinal study of Drug Court participants will occur during subsequent phases of the evaluation. 

CFF staff participating in the project are Dr. Nancy Young and Terry Robinson. For further information please contact Terry Robinson.