DRUG COURTS & FUNDAMENTALS FOR THERAPEUTIC COURTS
WHO WE SERVE
Drug Courts are specialized problem-solving courts that focus on individuals whose involvement in the justice system is driven by substance use disorders. These courts combine accountability with treatment, offering participants a structured path to recovery through judicial supervision, frequent court appearances, and access to comprehensive services. By working collaboratively with treatment providers, case managers, and community partners, Drug Courts aim to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and support long-term sobriety. Participants are empowered to make positive life changes while being held accountable for their progress, creating healthier individuals and stronger communities.
DRUG COURTS & FUNDAMENTALS FOR THERAPEUTIC COURTS
Under the Therapeutic Courts Statute (RCW 2.30), the Washington State Legislature defines and authorizes drug courts and other therapeutic courts.
The Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) created under RCW 71.24.580 established in 2002 provides funding for treatment and support services for individuals with a substance use disorder against whom charges are filed by a prosecuting attorney, within a drug court program, and for administrative and overhead costs to operate a drug court. Learn more: Origins of the CJTA and State Drug Court Funding.
State Funding for Therapeutic Courts in Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (District & Municipal Courts) is administrated through Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
Federal Funding: Federal Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), BJA Grant Funding for Treatment Courts (U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Justice Programs – Bureau of Justice Assistance)
Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards (All Rise) provides evidence-based guidance on target population, roles and responsibilities of the judge, incentives, sanctions and service adjustments, substance use, mental health, and trauma treatment and recovery management, complementary services and recovery capital, community supervision, drug and alcohol testing, multidisciplinary team, and program monitoring, evaluation, and improvement.
Downloadable PDFs – Best Practice Standards:
- Best Practice Standards – Updated January 2026
- Best Practice Standards – 2nd edition (2024 – historical version)
10 Key Components of Drug Courts are summarized by Partners for Progress. More detailed information can be found through Defining Drug Courts: Key Components. Download PDF here.
All Rise Resource Page: training, publications, sample documents, case law, media and messaging, funding, podcasts, and webinars on demandfor all types of therapeutic courts.
All Rise Treatment Court Instituteprovides training and technical assistance for treatment courts including: best practices, equity and inclusion, incentives, sanctions and therapeutic adjustments, medication for addiction treatment, assessments, multi-track treatment courts, and role specific trainings for practitioners and providers.
Washington Therapeutic Courts Training Support (WATTS) of HCA
Therapeutic Courts as an Effective Part of the Washington State Diversion Continuum: WSADCP presentation at the Washington Deflection & Diversion Summit (May 2025)
Risk Needs and Responsivity: Targeting the Right Participants, Alternative Tracks: Matching Your Program to the Needs of Your Clients, Selecting and Using Risk and Needs Assessments, How to Manage Clients by Risk and Need (NDCI video), Risk Need Responsivity in Community Courts, Demystifying Risk Assessments, Risk and Needs Tools for DWI.
Behavior Modification 101: Incentives and Sanctions.
Drug Testing: Urinalysis Testing in Therapeutic Courts – WSADCP and Washington State Therapeutic Court Alumni Association (WSTCAA) Presentation, Drug and Alcohol Testing – Best Practice Standard 7, FAQ: Drug Testing (All Rise)
Equity & Inclusion Resources: to assist therapeutic court professionals in their efforts to ensure that all individuals have equitable access and outcomes in therapeutic courts and receive effective, responsive services.
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD): Informational Brochure (UW ADAI), Provider’s Guide to Talking About MOUD, Washington State MOUD Locator Tool, MOUD for Youth Factsheet, Medication-Assisted Treatment and Common Misconceptions (SAMSHA video), Best Practices in the Justice System for Addressing the Opioid Epidemic, MAT in Drug Courts (Center for Court Innovation) NADCP Board Statement on MAT (includes references),
Motivational Interviewing: MI Toolkit & MI Bench Cards.
Recovery Capital: Building Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care for Drug Court Participants, What Is Recovery Capital? (BJA video), Recovery Capital Worksheets, Recovery Outcomes Institute, Revisiting Phases Through the Recovery Capital Lens, Sustaining Long-Term Recovery as Part of Justice Reform, Adolescent Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care, Recovery Capital: Its Role in Sustaining Recovery.
Constitutional and Legal Issues in Adult Drug Courts: Practitioner’s Guide includes info on 1) eligibility and legal implications of exclusions 2) admissions process including plea agreements, waivers of rights, and participant contracts 3) common requirements drug courts impose including community service, geographic restrictions, employment requirements 4) reviews unique operational features such as drug testing, cross-agency info sharing, staffing meetings, and intermediate sanctions in response to participant noncompliance 5) termination hearings and sentencing 6) addresses special rules for pre-plea drug courts.
