In Support of the National Drug Court Evaluation
Resolution 13: In Support of the National Drug Court Evaluation
WHEREAS, the public and other branches of government have looked to courts to address certain complex social problems, such as recidivism; and
WHEREAS, drug courts have been implemented nationwide as a strategy to more effectively address recidivism among criminal defendants with substance abuse issues; and
WHEREAS, drug courts have grown in recent years and appear to be an effective strategy; and
WHEREAS, there has been no national longitudinal impact evaluation of these courts; and
WHEREAS, the National Institute of Justice is now soliciting proposals for conducting a National Drug Court Evaluation Multi-Site Longitudinal Study over a five-year period; and
WHEREAS, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), in partnership with the Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, the RAND Corporation and the National Drug Court Institute has developed a proposal to conduct a multi-source, multi-method experimental research design that will address both drug court processes and the impact of drug courts; and
WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices established a Problem-Solving Courts Committee to oversee the integration of problem-solving courts methods and principles systemwide; and
WHEREAS, the Problem-Solving Courts Committee has identified the development of a scientifically-based drug national evaluation as desirable; and
WHEREAS, the Conference stands ready to assist the NCSC and its partners in the conduct of this study;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference hereby supports the proposal prepared by NCSC and its partners and encourages the National Institute of Justice to give favorable consideration to the proposal.
Adopted as proposed by the Problem-Solving Courts Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices at its 26th Midyear Meeting on January 30, 2003.