Endorsing and Supporting: Judicial Education on Substance Abuse: Promoting and Expanding Judicial Awareness and Leadership
Resolution 2 Endorsing and Supporting: Judicial Education on Substance Abuse: Promoting and Expanding Judicial Awareness and Leadership
WHEREAS, the pervasive problem of substance abuse is often before the courts; and
WHEREAS, the courts have a unique opportunity to heighten accountability for substance abusers and to stop recidivism; and
WHEREAS, the courts support ongoing education, implementation of effective strategies and collaboration regarding substance abuse issues; and
WHEREAS, the American Judges Association and the National Center for State Courts, in partnership with a variety of national organizations, has developed an educational curriculum in response to these judicial needs; and
WHEREAS, the resulting curriculum - Judicial Education on Substance Abuse: Promoting and Expanding Judicial Awareness and Leadership - was developed and refined based on the following objectives:
- generate an awareness of substance abuse issues before courts;
- identify the judicial role in responding to litigants and to the community in cases with substance issues;
- provide a basic understanding of the nature of substance abuse, addiction and recovery, and treatment modalities;
- assist the judge with the development of strategies and tools for addressing cases with substance abuse problems;
- encourage judges to collaborate with other judges, lawyers and interested community leaders in best addressing cases with abuse issues and in developing problem-solving approaches generally; and
WHEREAS, this curriculum has been piloted at two widely attended judicial conferences;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Conference of State Court Administrators:
- endorses the objectives and strategies set forth in the Judicial Education on Substance Abuse: Promoting and Expanding Judicial Awareness and Leadership;
- supports such curriculum based on these objectives and strategies as a useful tool for dealing with cases involving substance abuse; and
- acknowledges the benefit of collaborative efforts between and among national organizations in the development of educational materials enhancing judicial awareness and practices.
Adopted at the Conference of State Court Administrators 2003 Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 31, 2003.