Neither justice nor treatment: Drug courts in the United States

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Neither justice nor treatment: Drug courts in the United States

9 June 2017
Physicians for Human Rights

There are more than 3,100 drug courts operating in the United States. But while the courts’ proponents say they reduce recidivism for people with substance use disorders, critics say the system abuses due process, often mandates treatment for people who don’t actually need it – people without drug dependence – and fails to provide quality care to many who do. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) assessed the availability and quality of substance use disorder treatment through drug courts in three states – Florida, New Hampshire, and New York – and found major obstacles in all three states.

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