King County Drug Diversion Court

King County has taken an innovative approach to address drug and alcohol abuse.  The King County Drug Diversion Program combines the criminal justice system with an alcohol and drug treatment program. This provides the offender a unique opportunity to address their own addictions and hold them accountable. While this is not the first drug court created in the United States, it has become an example for others to follow.

The King County Drug Court has been nationally recognized as one of the most progressive drug courts in the U.S. National experts say that drug court programs work because of the unique combination of drug rehabilitation and criminal justice. The program is said to reduce recidivism, and ultimately saves tax payer money.

The program allows eligible defendants to opt for alcohol and drug treatment in lieu of jail time. If the defendant successfully completes their rehabilitation program, their charges are dismissed. If the defendant does not complete the program, they are sentenced on the original charge.

If the defendant opts for the treatment program they are expected to attend drug treatment classes, successfully pass drug tests, and periodically check in with a judge. Thus far, this program has proved successful; it is reported that less than 10% of the program’s participants have been back to court for felony drug charges.

Heartwarming and hopeful stories abound regarding addicts who had lost hope and had relegated themselves to a life of addiction and crime. These people now have the opportunity to turn their lives around and get a fresh start. It doesn’t hurt that it is court supervised either; some have referred to it as “coerced treatment.” The possibility of having their original charges reinstated is a good tool to keep them motivated and stay sober. When the participants complete their program, which takes an average of 10-15 months, they attend a graduation ceremony. Judges and prosecutors alike applaud and wish them well as they are released.

In the first three years of the program, 2,554 defendants were eligible for the program. Out of those, 109 graduated, 195 did not make it through the program, and 238 were still in treatment by the end of the three years. Those that don’t make it will end up serving jail time. However for addicts that are ready to change, the drug diversion program affords them the opportunity to turn their lives around.