PRINTER'S NO. 1624
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
288
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY McCLINTON, FRANKEL, DONATUCCI, BURNS, T. DAVIS,
KORTZ, CALTAGIRONE, LONGIETTI, PICKETT, KINSEY, MILLARD,
SCHLEGEL CULVER, DiGIROLAMO, READSHAW, HILL-EVANS, KIRKLAND,
ROZZI, JOHNSON-HARRELL, NEILSON AND GROVE, APRIL 30, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 30, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of May 2019 as "National Drug Court Month"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The nation's first drug court was created in Miami-
Dade County, Florida, in 1989; and
WHEREAS, This new approach to confronting the drug epidemic
invited treatment providers into the courtroom and helped to
manage substance use and mental health disorders as medical
conditions through evidence-based treatment plans; and
WHEREAS, Since 1989, the expansion of drug courts has been a
key reform in the fight against drug abuse and criminality in
many jurisdictions, including within this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Underlying chronic behaviors are the focus of these
specialized courts; and
WHEREAS, Judges work with a community team to develop a case
plan that includes regular court appearances, treatment sessions
and monitoring of an offender's compliance and aftercare; and
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WHEREAS, Volunteer mentors may provide additional support for
court-involved individuals; and
WHEREAS, Graduated sanctions, incentives, evidence-based
treatment, education and training benefits and related services
are applied as needed; and
WHEREAS, "National Drug Court Month" highlights the
collective impact of adult drug courts, juvenile drug courts,
family dependency treatment courts, tribal healing to wellness
courts, DWI/DUI courts and Veterans Treatment Courts; and
WHEREAS, These courts have effectively reduced drug abuse,
crime and recidivism while significantly improving treatment
outcomes and saving taxpayer money; and
WHEREAS, These courts have facilitated community partnerships
to broadly enhance criminal justice, public safety and public
health; and
WHEREAS, Today, there are more than 3,000 drug courts
throughout the United States, with approximately 150,000 people
being served by these courts each year; and
WHEREAS, Drug courts save an average of $6,000 for every
individual they serve; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Institute of Justice, 84%
of drug court graduates have not been rearrested or charged with
a serious crime in the first year after their graduation; and
WHEREAS, The Urban Institute cites a report from the National
Association of Drug Court Professionals that shows drug courts
provide $2.21 in benefits, and up to $3.36 in benefits among
expanded programs, for every $1 invested; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives applaud the commitment
and coordination among drug court defendants, judges, case
management professionals and volunteers in the pursuit of
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comprehensive intervention, treatment completion, family
reunification and sustained recovery; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of May 2019 as "National Drug Court Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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