It is the intent of the Legislature that drug court programs be designed and operated in accordance with the document entitled “Defining Drug Courts: The Key Components,” developed by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and Drug Court Standards Committee (reprinted 2004). It is the intent of the Legislature that the key components of the programs include:
(a)
Integration by drug
courts of alcohol and other drug treatment services with justice system case processing.
(b)
Promotion of public safety, while protecting participants’ due process rights, by prosecution and defense counsel using a nonadversarial approach.
(c)
Early identification of eligible participants and prompt placement in the drug court program.
(d)
Access provided by drug courts to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and other related treatment and rehabilitation services.
(e)
Frequent alcohol and other drug testing to monitor abstinence.
(f)
A coordinated strategy to govern drug court responses to participants’ compliance.
(g)
Ongoing
judicial interaction with each drug court participant is essential.
(h)
Monitoring and evaluation to measure the achievement of program goals and gauge effectiveness.
(i)
Continuing interdisciplinary education to promote effective drug court planning, implementation, and operations.
(j)
Forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies, and community-based organizations to generate local support and enhance drug court program effectiveness.