Interesting coverage of drug courts

With thanks to CrimProf for the tip, I recommend this thoughtful NPR story about drug courts.  The story provides background on drug courts and a nice review of the debate over their effectiveness.  The story also reports that the Bush administration is seeking to “boost funding for drug courts from $40 million to $70 million.” 

Meanwhile, I see from this editorial in the Charlotte Observer that the North Carolina legislature has plans to “eliminate $1 million for the 30 drug court programs” in the state.  The editorial laments this development: “Drug courts SAVE the state money.  The consequence of eliminating funding is also clear: It would COST the state more than the $1 million it saves.”

I have previously provided a lot of resources about drug courts in this prior post.