Introduction to drug courts

Abstract

To understand the nature and purpose of drug courts, it is important to know the events and policy actions that led to the movement and the philosophical basis behind it. This chapter discusses the history of the drug abuse problem in the United States, the effects of the drug problem on the criminal justice system, and the judicial response. It explores the concept and principles behind drug courts, and looks at the Tulare County, California, program and lessons learned in starting a drug court. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.