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Drug court to be introduced in Maryland in 2011

By Staff Writer

Substance abuse costs taxpayers nearly $484 billion every year, according to Drug Addiction Support, a statistics site. Rehabilitation facilities can help individuals detoxify, but many find themselves in trouble with the law before they choose to recover. Drug courts are giving more addicts another chance to come clean before facing jail time.

Charles County in Maryland plans to hold its first Court for Family Recovery in 2011, according to the Washington Post. The reason for the court is to provide recovery resources to addicts who are responsible for children. Substance abuse has been cited in nearly 80 percent of child neglect cases, according to court officials.

When the program begins, it will accommodate up to 25 people. The first eight weeks will be centered on detox. Individuals who enroll in the voluntary program will be subject to drug testing and intensive outpatient therapy. The goal is to make them productive members of society once they complete the program.

In 2008, there were approximately 4 million emergency room visits as a result of illicit drug use, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network. Rehabilitation programs and drug courts are helping reduce the number of individuals suffering from addiction.