Treatment courts save lives and strengthen communities. Rather than continuing to allow individuals with histories of addiction and crime to cycle through the justice system, treatment courts keep them engaged in treatment long enough to be successful.
The approach is no longer an experiment.
More than 4,000 treatment courts nationwide will celebrate National Treatment Court Month in May, shedding light on how this compassionate approach needs to reach more people.
Martin County Adult Drug Court differs from traditional court because treatment providers and other public health professionals are part of the team. These professionals ensure each person in the program receives an individualized, evidence-based treatment plan. They work with judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, probation, and law enforcement to provide ongoing support and accountability.
This approach allows the court to identify and meet individual needs beyond clinical treatment. Those needs include education, employment, housing assistance, family reunification, restitution, health care and community evolvement.
Timothy L. Maynard is a testament to the system’s effectiveness in Martin County. He is one of the earlier Martin County Drug Court success stories.
Maynard entered treatment court over a decade ago. After years of struggling with a substance use disorder and being arrested numerous times for crimes related to his addiction, Maynard said he was facing a life of being in and out of jails and treatment facilities and a potential drug-related death sentence.
Maynard received rigorous treatment, counseling and support and began to put his life back together. He enrolled in college with the attitude that he would help others. He completed the treatment court program in 2008, obtained his bachelor’s degree, and reconnected with his family.
Today, Maynard has no criminal record holding him back. He is employed by the same program in Martin County that allowed him to change his life, overcome his addiction and become a success story, not a statistic.
Maynard’s story is just one of the thousands demonstrating why treatment courts are critical in addressing addiction and recovery.
Numerous studies have found that treatment courts reduce crime and drug use and save money. The research shows treatment courts improve education, employment, housing, financial stability and family reunification, reducing foster care placements.
Treatment courts represent a compassionate approach to the ravages of addiction.
This year’s National Treatment Court Month celebrates lives restored and sends the message that these programs must be expanded to reach more people in need. It is a powerful reminder that when one person rises out of addiction and finds recovery, we all rise.