What Is Better for the Drug Criminals: Jail or Court-Ordered Rehab?

Every year, drug abuse affects millions of individuals globally. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are about 20 million people aged 12 years and above that are using illicit drugs in the United States. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence notes that this represents 8% of the entire population. The bad news is that only 2 million of these people are undergoing treatment which is aimed at enabling them to beat addiction or substance abuse.

Continued drug addiction leads to lifestyles that are aligned with involvement in criminal activity. Obtaining and abusing illicit drugs remains illegal in the United States. But, people that are affected by the abuse of illicit drugs engage in more illegal activities while trying to get them. That’s because addiction changes how the human brain functions. A person who is addicted to illicit drugs becomes almost powerless in terms of resisting the urge to get and use the addictive substance. As such, drug addiction is like a disease which is associated with poor decision making that can include things a sober person may not do like committing crimes.

That’s why a judge may sentence an offender a court mandated rehab rather than jail time. However, this sentence is basically not a “get-out-of-jail free” card. It comes with eligibility requirements. And to satisfy case sentencing, the offender has to complete rehabilitation successfully. Nevertheless, this sentence is better than going to jail.

Court Ordered Rehab Explained

Court ordered treatment refers to a unique chance for people with illicit drugs addiction to get the required assistance to recover from addiction. It’s mandatory treatment which the courts require offenders who have drug abuse problems to undergo. Although people have different perceptions towards this sentence, it’s really a second chance for most offenders.

People who receive this sentence get an opportunity to undergo treatment that prevents future drug or substance abuse. This enables them to break the addiction cycle. Ideally, drug courts offer offenders who agree to undergo complete treatment for drug addiction this sentence as an alternative to severe sentence or confinement. Essentially, this rehab replaces some or the entire jail term or other forms of punishment which the individual may have otherwise served for the committed crime.

Benefits of Mandatory Rehabilitation

This rehabilitation involves a treatment team of health providers, therapists, the judge, case managers, and lawyers. These work together with the offender in an effort to ensure that the offender undergoes effective treatment while complying with the law. The rehabilitation is aimed at providing a therapeutic experience to the offender. Regular communication is maintained by the treatment team while encouraging support for the offender from family and friends. This goes on during therapy, hearings and until the offender is discharged.

The major benefits of this rehab over jail term sentence include:

• Coordinated strategy that involves treatment providers, a judge, the offender, and prosecution with an aim of helping the offender overcome drug addiction.
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• Access to continued rehabilitation, treatment, and related services.
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• Ongoing interaction with the judge.
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• Continued evaluation and monitoring to measure progress in terms of the goals of the program.
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• Continued interdisciplinary education that is aimed at enhancing effective planning, operation, and implementation of the recovery program.
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• Partnership with community-based organizations and public agencies with an aim of generating support and enhancing effectiveness of the program.

People that undergo court-ordered rehab instead of jail term experience successful outcomes that may include reducing or stopping drug abuse altogether. Others reduce or stop their involvement in crimes. They also enjoy improved finances because they do not spend every coin they earn on drugs. They also build and lead more fulfilled lives with family and children.

The Involved Costs

Although this rehabilitation is ordered by the court, the offender covers the program costs. Thus, the person that is sentenced to undergo a legally mandated rehabilitation is required to pay the involved bills. Drug or substance addiction treatment costs vary depending on the selected program and the particular treatment required. The major problem is usually limited finances especially when the offender has exhausted funds in supporting drug addiction. However, there are options that can be explored.

For instance, most treatment facilities accept patient insurance. This can cover the rehabilitation services costs. Overall, treatment cost varies from $5,000 to $30,000. The length and type of treatment cause this variation in price. If after treatment sober-living or halfway house facility is suggested, the patient has to pay housing bills that may include rent.

But, there are treatment facilities that provide financial help or special financing plans that make treatment costs more affordable. As such, you should find out more about the payment options that are available if you or a loved one is looking for a treatment facility to join.

Why a Compulsory Rehabilitation Program Is Better Than Jail

Generally, each crime and offender is unique. Jail term may not be the most effective option for some offenders. This is particularly the case for addicted persons. For such persons, going through a court-ordered treatment program may be the best alternative.

The purpose of this rehabilitation is to change the criminal behavior of the person that is battling drug addiction. This is an important effort because some people commit crimes after leaving prison. Basically, many people reoffend after leaving prison because the jail does not address the addiction issue properly. Compulsory rehab provides an alternative way of treating the addiction and related issues more effectively.

The Bottom Line

Court ordered treatment is generally better than jail for drug criminals. Instead of locking people up in jail, this sentence gives them a chance to build improved lifestyle habits. It helps integrate individuals that are fully functioning back into their society. It also lessens the financial burden on the economy and the society that is associated with prisons funding. What’s more, alternatives to jail time such as rehabilitation have proven to be more effective for nonviolent and non-serious offenders when compared to incarceration. Thus, jail or prison should only be used if rehabilitation fails.