101291: Drug Courts as a Partner in Mental Health and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders Diversion Programs

About the Course:

Many U.S. communities have been unsuccessful in providing appropriate supervision for mandated treatment participation for individuals with severe mental illnesses released from local jails. This has been particularly challenging for communities with jail mental health diversion programs, where participation in treatment is essential to making the diversion work. This publication addresses the use of drug courts as a partner in mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders diversion programs.

Journal/Publisher:

The GAINS Center

Publication Date:

Summer, 1999

Author

The GAINS Center

About the Authors:

The National GAINS Center for People With Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System is a national center for the collection and dissemination of information about effective mental health and substance abuse services for people with co-occurring disorders who come in contact with the justice system. The GAINS Center is jointly funded by two centers of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the Center for Mental Health Services—the National Institute of Corrections, the Office of Justice Programs and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially addiction counselors, psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about the use of drug courts in diversion programs for people with co-occurring disorders. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Describe the historical use of drug courts and their role in supervising drug offenders in treatment.

2. Discuss the use of drug courts as adjuncts to jail diversion programs for persons with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders.

3. Identify the key components of the Lane County Diversion Program which can serve as a model for other programs across the country.