In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, drug treatment courts have an opportunity to reexamine their focus on individuals with high service needs and high risk of recidivism, who would benefit from intensive programming. While serving a relatively small population, these courts can still provide compelling benefits to system partners through reductions in costly interactions with criminal legal and behavioral health agencies, as well as priceless outcomes for community members through supported recovery, reunited families, and restored hope.

SAMHSA’s GAINS Center recently hosted a webinar, “Planning for the Future: Ensuring Sustainability for Drug Treatment Courts,” which discussed how these courts can plan for long-term sustainability through a multifaceted approach. Here are the top 10 takeaways from the webinar:

  1. Develop a comprehensive sustainability plan that focuses on your efforts, identifies potential issues, sets realistic goals, and builds community support.
  2. Promote your drug treatment court by inviting community leaders and media to graduations, speaking at local service groups, and sharing success stories and data.
  3. Leverage non-monetary resources, such as tutors, job interview coaches, and computer classes, by engaging with your community.
  4. Explore fundraising opportunities, such as marathons, golf outings, and campaigns, while adhering to ethical guidelines.
  5. Ensure diverse funding sources, including national, state, and local opportunities, to maintain program capacity.
  6. Educate policymakers and the public about the importance of drug treatment courts, highlighting their impact on public safety and cost savings.
  7. Collect and utilize both quantitative data (e.g., recidivism rates, jail bed savings) and qualitative data (e.g., exit interviews, focus groups) to demonstrate your court’s success.
  8. Foster a team effort by involving all interested parties in the planning, promotion, and funding processes.
  9. Continuously engage with the community, as sustainability is an ongoing endeavor that requires routine outreach and advocacy.
  10. Be prepared to address setbacks and challenges, such as participant incidents or changes in leadership, by maintaining strong community support.

For more detailed information and strategies on ensuring long-term sustainability for drug treatment courts, we encourage you to watch the full webinar recording on SAMHSA’s YouTube channel. By implementing a multifaceted approach, drug treatment courts can secure the resources and support necessary to continue their life-changing work and positively impact individuals, families, and communities.


This blog post was developed with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence.