Most drug courts do not reduce imprisonment, do not save money or improve public safety, and ultimately fail to help people struggling with drug problems. Today’s drug courts are no more effective — but are considerably more costly — than voluntary treatment, with participants often spending more time behind bars than those whose cases are handled by conventional courts.

The commission’s report comes just days after [the current President] characterized the opioid overdose crisis as a “war” and outlined his administration’s plans to “defeat” it, including Reagan-era style “just say no” prevention campaigns, drug courts, building a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico, and increasing drug sentences. “The overwhelming focus of [the current President’s] statements on drugs has not been on public health or even on the Christie commission’s recommendations, but rather on outdated, ineffective, punitive responses that have already caused tremendous harm in society,” said Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. “Rather than helping people at risk of overdose and their families, [the] agenda seems to be to stoke fear, spread disinformation, and further stigmatize entire populations—whether they be immigrants or people who use drugs.”

Original Article (Drug Policy Alliance):
Advocates denounce White House opioid commission’s emphasis on drug courts and proposed increase in drug sentences
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