Program Overview
The Felony Drug Court provides a non-traditional and blended approach to working with criminal offenders who are drug- and/or alcohol-addicted. It is a five-phase program, with each phase representing a different step toward recovery. In order to graduate, participants must successfully complete each of the five phases and successfully graduate.
The Five Phases
The five phases correspond with the five stages in Carlo DiClemente’s Stage of Change model with the belief that individual participants begin in the Pre-contemplation Stage and then accordingly move through the Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance stages. Treatment, interventions, and program requirements in each drug court phase mimic the needs for each corresponding stage of change.
Expectations
Participants will be expected to participate in the following treatment-oriented activities (all program activities are in the evenings and weekends so as not to conflict with work):
- Individual counseling sessions
- Educational and treatment support groups
- Weekly court appearances
- Monitoring and supervision
- Random drug testing
- Weekly AA / 12-step meetings
When participants do well within the program, they receive incentives such as certificates, gift cards, and curfew extensions. When participants have challenges within the program, they may receive therapeutic interventions (increased treatment mandates) or sanctions such as community service or jail time. Felony Drug Court fees are $150 per month, payable in cash or money order. However, alternative payment arrangements are available for those who qualify.