Policies

Drug Court Steering Committee

The Steering Committee will serve an advisory role to the Drug Court Program. The committee will meet quarterly to review and evaluate the Drug Court Program and make decisions regarding necessary program changes.

The Drug Court Steering Committee consists of representatives from the following groups:

• 18th Judicial District Circuit Court Judiciary
• 18th Judicial District Circuit Court Administration
• Clatsop County Community Corrections
• Clatsop County District Attorney's Office
• Clatsop County Defense Bar
• Clatsop County Treatment Providers
• Clatsop County Sheriff's Department
• City of Seaside Police Department
• Clatsop County Interagency Drug Task Force
• Clatsop County Juvenile Department
• Community Leaders
  

Key Component of Clatsop County Drug Court

1. Integrate alcohol and drug treatment services with justice system case processing.
2. Using a non-adversarial approach, promote public safety while providing treatment to participants.
3. Eligible participants will be identified early and promptly placed in the Drug Court Program.
4. Drug Court is not a tool for plea bargains. It is a treatment alternative to prosecution for defendants who admit to a drug problem up front and want help. To be successful, the participant must enroll in treatment immediately and actively participate in treatment.
5. Drug Courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug and other related treatment and rehabilitation services.
6. Abstinence will be monitored by frequent alcohol and drug testing.
7. A coordinated strategy between courts, treatment providers and Clatsop Community Corrections governs Drug Court responses to participant's compliance.
8. Sanctions for violations will be imposed promptly.
9. Ongoing judicial interaction with each Drug Court participant is essential.
10. Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and will gauge effectiveness.
11. Forging partnerships among Drug Courts, public agencies and community-based organizations generates local support and enhances program effectiveness.

Goals and Objectives

• GOAL 1: Eligible participants shall be identified early and promptly placed in the Drug Court Program.

  Objectives for Goal 1:

  1. Notify defendant of Drug Court option if it appears he/she will qualify at the time of arraignment.
  2. Appoint counsel immediately for assistance in making decision whether to pursue Drug Court.
  3. Require entry into Drug Court Program within 45 days of arraignment.
     
     
• GOAL 2: Enrolled Drug Court participants will immediately begin supervision, evaluation and treatment.

  Objectives for Goal 2:

  1. At the time of sentencing/disposition, participant will immediately report to Clatsop Community Corrections to begin the intake assessment and supervision.
  2. The participant will immediately be placed on the "yellow color" system for random urinalysis.
  3. The participant will attend Drug Court the first Thursday at 8:30 a.m. following sentencing/disposition.

• GOAL 3: Use non-adversarial approach to promote public safety while providing treatment to participants.

  Objectives for Goal 3:

  1. Appearance once per week at Drug Court initially to ensure compliance with all supervision requirements.
  2. Random urinalysis shall be taken and reported to the Drug Court Judge.
  3. Discussion prior to Drug Court appearance to determine program and treatment compliance.
  4. Agreement by participant to waive right to hearing if there is a violation and proceed with a sanction in Drug Court.
  5. Discussion of treatment, compliance and other matters in court at each appearance.
     
     
• GOAL 4: Provide treatment services.

  Objectives for Goal 4:

1. The Drug Court Judge and probation officer will insure the participant receives an evaluation/assessment needed to address substance abuse issues.
2. The Drug Court Judge and probation officer will evaluate other needs, such as medical or mental health, to provide incentive to attend those needs.
3. If it becomes apparent, refer for the following services: family counseling, job location assistance or housing assistance is necessary and try to provide the resources and information to obtain assistance.

• GOAL 5: Coordinated strategy between the Drug Court Judge, treatment providers and probation officer to assurance compliance.

  Objectives for Goal 5:

1. All violations will be reported to the Drug Court Judge.
2. Sanctions will be discussed and generally imposed immediately, including:
   1. Community Service.
   2. Work Crew.
   3. Sitting in court for a specified period of time.
   4. Jail.
   5. Writing an essay.
   6. Revocation of conditional discharge or probation.
3. Violations for positive urinalysis will result in reassessment by treatment provider or evaluator. Other violations will be referred for reassessment as determined necessary by the probation officer, treatment provider and Drug Court Judge.

• GOAL 6: Ongoing judicial interaction with each Drug Court participant.

  Objectives for Goal 6:

  1. As much as possible, one judge will be assigned to handle all Drug Court cases.
  2. The assigned Drug Court Judge will also be a member of the Drug Court Steering Committee.
  3. As much as scheduling will allow, the Drug Court Judge will handle the Thursday morning Drug Court hearings.
  4. Confidentiality policy will be created for each participant.
     
     
• GOAL 7: Forge partnerships among Drug Court, public agency and community organizations to generate local support.

  Objectives for Goal 7:

1. Provide a public forum where the Drug Court Steering Committee presents information about Drug Court.
2. Invite public and press to Drug Court graduations and encourage agencies involved with participants as well as their family and friends to attend.
3. Participate as a speaker to community organizations when requested.

• GOAL 8: Monitor and evaluate achievement of program goals to measure its effectiveness.

  Objectives for Goal 8:

  1. The Drug Court Coordinator will enter dates the defendant enters into the Drug Court Program through the Oregon Drug Court Management System (ODCMS) database.
  2. The Drug Court Coordinator will enter the date of evaluation/screening completed following entry into program.
  3. The Drug Court Coordinator will record all attendance of participants, all urinalysis results and all sanctions imposed during the Drug Court Program.
  4. The Drug Court Coordinator will maintain a confidential file where data will be stored and can be accessed by the Drug Court Judge, Drug Court Coordinator, probation officer or the Steering Committee.
  5. The Drug Court Judge will track the percentage of participants as follows:
     1. Who demonstrate reductions in alcohol or drug use as measured by clean urinalysis or breath test.
     2. Eligible participants who complete the program.
     3. Participants who remain free of crimes involving substance abuse for three years and five years.
     4. Participants who remain free of all crimes for three years and five years.