In Support of the Policy Recommendations of the National Judicial Opioid Task Force
Resolution 2: In Support of the Policy Recommendations of the National Judicial Opioid Task Force
WHEREAS, the misuse and abuse of opioids and other addictive substances is a devastating national public health crisis affecting the administration of justice in state and local courts in every state; and
WHEREAS, courts are positioned to respond to the epidemic; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators established the National Judicial Opioid Task Force to develop tools, resources, and policy recommendations to address the epidemic; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the National Judicial Opioid Task Force developed a set of best practice and policy recommendations to guide state and local courts in their development, operation, and assessment of judicial responses to the epidemic; and
WHEREAS, the recommendations are structured into six primary categories: Judicial Leadership; Communication and Collaboration; Treatment and Services; Court-based Programs and Strategies; Judicial Branch Education; and Legislation and Funding;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators endorse the recommendations developed by the National Judicial Opioid Task Force; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators encourage inclusion of the policy recommendations in training and education for court staff and judicial officers, as well as the development and operation of court programs, practices, and policies implemented in response to the abuse and misuse of opioids and other addictive substances.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Boards of Directors at the 2019 Annual Meeting on July 31, 2019.