For more than 30 years, Treatment Courts have helped reshape lives, yet many remain unfamiliar with their impact. These courts provide structure and accountability for individuals in the justice system facing substance use, mental health, and trauma-related challenges, while recognizing and supporting their progress toward recovery.
“We understand addiction is an illness, it’s difficult to overcome, and we’re here to help uplift people,” said Commissioner Travis Marderosian. “Initially, Drug Court and DUI Court participants need acute stabilization. Resources for residential treatment, transitional housing, and sober living programs are critical to achieving foundational stability. From there, our participants can begin to focus on substance abuse treatment, cognitive interventions, and medication-assisted treatment.”
At the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County, individuals entering Drug Court and DUI Court programs gain opportunities to build new skills, connect with addiction treatment resources, and receive support from a multidisciplinary team that includes judicial officers, probation officers, defense attorneys, and counselors. To be eligible for Drug and DUI Court, justice-involved individuals must have a Drug or DUI-related offense and reside within specific supervision areas.
“When I started this program, I was homeless, jobless, my family wasn’t speaking to me, and I had no purpose or direction for the future,” said Drug Court graduate Allison Brisky. “Thirteen months later and I have my own place, a career in behavioral health, I’m in college working towards my degree, and I am the type of mother, daughter, sister, and friend that I was always meant to be. Drug court has not only changed my life, but it has also given me a life that is too good to lose. I may have put in the work, but Drug Court provided me with the structure, accountability, and discipline I never knew I was even capable of having.”
Participants progress through five phases of the program, each lasting approximately 30 to 90 days. In the first phase, participants must have 14 consecutive days of substance testing, obtain temporary or transitional housing, get screened for treatment, and develop a case plan. At the beginning of this year, the program phase requirements were updated to align with best practices informed by decades of research.
Each Treatment Court graduation is a celebration that encapsulates not only the participant’s struggles but their dedication to sobriety.
“I like to recognize the individual journey that the participant has been on. Our graduates face individual hardships and accomplishments that are unique to their journey,” said Commissioner Christina Henderson. “I believe sharing the experience is inspirational to others working through their own journeys. I also give every team member an opportunity to congratulate the participants. Their success is all our successes!”
There are now more than 4,000 treatment courts in the United States. Treatment Court participants have lower recidivism rates than non-participants, with an average reduction ranging from 38% to 50%, according to All Rise, an advocacy organization for improving justice system responses to substance use and mental health disorders.