Treatment courts are proven to be effective in supporting people living with substance use issues, and serve as an alternative to the traditional court system.
Participation requires regular court appearances, drug testing, and any necessary treatment participants may need. An entire team—consisting of judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and licensed professionals— work to help individuals in overcoming the obstacles that led them to the criminal justice system. SOBER Foundation supports participants in the Ramsey County Treatment Courts by funding short-term emergency expenses so they move forward on their path to recovery.
Why treatment courts?
National studies of treatment courts indicate 75% of program graduates remain arrest-free, compared to 30% of those released from prisons.
Sending someone to treatment court instead of prison can save up to $13,000 per participant.
Treatment courts are six times more likely to keep offenders in treatment long enough for them to be successful.
The average national completion rate for treatment courts is nearly 60%, approximately 2/3 higher than probation and more than twice the rate of probationers with substance use disorders.
Media & Press
Pioneer Press: Ramsey County Judge Joanne Smith honored for work on drug court
Pioneer Press: For 100th grad, drug court saved his life
Pioneer Press: Ex-addict’s faith — and others’ faith in him — helped him start anew
Star Tribune: In fight against DWIs, 2 counties focus on cause
Corrections Forum: Problem solving courts: changing lives
Mentor Court: One out of ten nationally