Operation UNITE : Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education
UNITE Drug Court
A Drug Court is a special court given the responsibility to handle cases involving drug-addicted non-violent offenders through an extensive supervision and treatment program. Drug Court is a non-adversarial team approach to criminal behavior resulting from drug addiction.
Kentucky is recognized as a model for the national program, which was first introduced in the state in 1993. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Drug Court program was established three years later.
The National Association of Drug Court Professionals honored Kentucky as the winner of the 2007 National Drug Court Month statewide contest. Connie Payne, Kentucky Drug Court manager, received the award from West Huddleston, CEO for NADCP, during the annual conference in Washington, D.C.
To view photos from the ceremony click here.
There are three primary types of Drug Court programs: Adult Circuit, Adult District and Juvenile. Knox and Laurel counties began a new Family Drug Court in January 2008. Not every county has each type of program, and some Drug Court programs serve multiple counties.
To view what programs are available in each county click here.
Before Operation UNITE was launched in April 2003 there were five Drug Court programs serving 10 counties in the Fifth Congressional District. Since February 2004 UNITE has provided $5.2 million to fund 30 new Drug Court programs that serve 24 counties. Combined, there are 40 Drug Court programs that serve 29 counties in the Fifth Congressional District.
All counties in the 5th Congressional District have at least one Drug Court program.
To view an operational map of Kentucky’s Drug Courts click here.
On April 17, 2006, Congressman Hal Rogers and UNITE Executive Director Karen Engle presented Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph Lambert and Kentucky Drug Court General Manager Connie Payne with a $2 million check for continuation of the UNITE Drug Court programs. To view pictures from the event click here. To read a news release click here.
Through January 2008:
Adults
Juveniles
Individuals who have participated in a UNITE Drug Court
1,036
442
Individuals who have graduated from a UNITE Drug Court
330
193
Individuals who have completed their educational plan
80
20
Drug-free babies born to UNITE Drug Court participants
65
12
Amount collected in fines, restitution, court costs and child support
$308,830
n/a
According to the AOC, the biggest return on investment in Drug Court comes from avoided costs to the criminal justice system with $2.72 in savings for every dollar spent on Drug Court graduates. Other financial returns for investing in Drug Court include savings associated with increased child support payments, reduced use of mental health services and reduced domestic violence. In addition, a two-year study found Drug Court graduates had a much lower felony recidivism rate (20 percent) compared to probationers with similar offenses (57 percent) and the national Drug Court recidivism rate (27 percent).
Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling, sanctions, incentives and frequent court appearances. Successful completion of the treatment program results in dismissal of the charges, reduced or set-aside sentences, lesser penalties, or a combination of these. Most importantly, graduating participants gain the necessary tools to rebuild their lives.
Under federal guidelines, 10 key components must be maintained by each Drug Court:
Mandatory alcohol and other drug treatment services.
A non-adversarial team approach with prosecution and defense counsel to promote public safety while protecting participants’ due process rights.
Identify and screen participants early in the criminal justice process.
Access to a continuum of alcohol, drug and other related treatment and rehabilitation services.
Frequent and random drug and alcohol testing.
Coordinated strategy governs Drug Court responses to participants’ compliance.
Ongoing judicial interaction with each Drug Court participant. In the fifth district review is conducted weekly during Phase 1, bi-weekly for Phase 2, and once every three weeks for Phase 3.
Ongoing monitoring, evaluation and collection of statistics to measure achievement of goals and gauge effectiveness.
Continuous interdisciplinary education for the Drug Court team to promote effective planning, implementation and operations.
Forging partnerships among Drug Courts, public agencies and community-based organizations to generate local support and enhance program effectiveness.
Drug Court is a multi-phase program that normally takes one to two years to complete. During this time participants will become free from drugs, receive employment or educational training, and undergo counseling. After graduation they must be available for six months to serve as mentors for new participants and enter an after-care program.
Defendants enter Drug Court through one of two routes -- diversion or probation. With diversion, Pre-trial Services identifies those defendants who have been arrested on charges that qualify -- possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obtaining controlled substances by fraud. These names are then provided for an assessment. For entry from probation, once a defendant has entered a guilty plea or been found guilty, the defendant or their attorney can ask Drug Court staff to conduct an assessment. If the defendant is determined to be a drug addict, wants to be in the program and does not have any violent offenses, then the judge makes the final decision whether to place him/her in Drug Court.
May is celebrated as National Drug Court Month.
Operation UNITE : Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education
Official Site of Operation UNITE
2292 S. Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501
606-677-6179 ● Toll Free 1-866-OP-UNITE ● Fax 606-677-6166
Operation UNITE : Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education
Kentucky is recognized as a model for the national program, which was first introduced in the state in 1993. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Drug Court program was established three years later.