The Washington County Drug Treatment Court (WCDTC) was created in recognition that many individuals find themselves in the criminal justice system because of a substance use disorder. It is an alternative to traditional incarceration and probation that seeks to help participants overcome their addictions and lead healthy, law-abiding and productive lives, rather than simply punish them. The WCDTC is a program that employs a holistic and evidence-based approach to treatment and supervision.
A “drug court” as defined by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals is "a special court given the responsibility to handle cases involving drug-addicted offenders through an extensive supervision and treatment program.” Drug courts represent a nontraditional approach to prosecution of offenders who are addicted to drugs. Rather than focusing only on the crimes they commit and the punishments they receive, drug court also attempts to solve some of their underlying problems.
Drug courts are built upon a partnership between the criminal justice system and the treatment community. This collaboration results in a drug court team that structures treatment, supervision, and intervention in order to break the cycle of substance use and associated criminal activity. Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling, sanctions, incentives, and frequent court appearances.