[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 86 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING NATIONAL DRUG COURT MONTH

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                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the nine 
drug courts in my State and around the country during National Drug 
Court Month. Over 2,100 drug courts in the United States provide an 
alternative to incarceration for non-violent, drug-addicted offenders 
by combining intense judicial supervision, comprehensive substance 
abuse and mental health treatment, random and frequent drug testing, 
incentives and sanctions, clinical case management and ancillary life 
skills services. The tireless efforts of the judges, prosecutors. 
defense attorneys, treatment providers, rehabilitation experts, child 
advocates, researchers, educators, law enforcement representatives, 
correctional representatives, pre-trial officers and probation officers 
that are involved in drug courts provide substance abusing offenders 
with the much-needed chance at long-term recovery and productive 
lifestyles.
  I have seen firsthand the impact of the drug courts in my State, 
where drug court programs have enhanced public safety, saved taxpayer 
dollars and, most importantly, saved lives. Since opening their doors, 
Hawaii's drug courts have graduated over 840 adult clients, 180 family 
clients, and 81 juvenile clients statewide. During fiscal year 2006, 
the recidivism rate for adult graduates was a mere 8 percent. For 
juvenile clients the recidivism rate was 13 percent. Family drug court 
clients experienced no recidivism whatsoever in 2006.
  As we face a growing population of drug-addicted offenders in the 
American justice system, we must expand our efforts to bring treatment 
to a larger number of those in need. According to a recent study by the 
Urban Research Institute's Justice Policy Center, approximately 1.5 
million drug-involved offenders should be diverted to drug court, which 
would generate $46 billion in savings to American taxpayers. Armed with 
our existing research that drug courts work, reduce recidivism, and 
save lives and money, we must work on taking drug courts to scale.
  If society is truly going to save the lives of the addicted, break 
the familial cycle of addiction for future generations, have a 
substantial impact on associated crime, child abuse and neglect, reduce 
poverty, alleviate the over-reliance on incarceration for the addicted, 
and reduce many of the public health consequences in the United States, 
drug courts must be taken to scale. There is no greater opportunity for 
systemic social change in the American justice system. There is no 
greater opportunity to heal families and communities.
  Again, congratulations to the dedicated drug court professionals and 
graduates from Hawaii and around the country on a job well done.

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