Overview
Substance use continues to pose a significant threat to the health, safety, and well-being of youth and communities nationwide. More than 9 percent of young people ages 12 to 17 needed treatment for substance use in the last year.
Drug courts are specialized court programs designed to help individuals overcome substance use and its repercussions. OJJDP funds drug courts to help youth and families address and mitigate the effects of substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. OJJDP-supported programs include juvenile drug treatment courts, family treatment courts, and Tribal youth healing to wellness courts.
Funding and Programs
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program
OJJDP grants provide resources to state, local, and Tribal governments, enabling them to create and enhance juvenile drug treatment court programs. These programs improve outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system who have substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Courts provide accountability and treatment to these youth by offering access to treatment and recovery services that enhance public safety and improve youth outcomes.
Visit the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court program page for more information.
Family Treatment Court Program
Family treatment courts serve children, parents, guardians, and families involved in the child welfare system when parental substance use contributes to child abuse or neglect. Courts take a multidisciplinary approach to meet families’ comprehensive needs, providing intensive judicial monitoring and access to family-focused interventions and other supportive services. The program aims to ensure that children have safe, nurturing, and permanent homes; parents and guardians achieve stable recovery; and family members receive services to improve family functioning.
Visit the Family Treatment Court program page for more information.
Tribal Youth Healing to Wellness Court Program
OJJDP funding helps Tribal communities develop and enhance youth healing to wellness courts. Awards to Tribal communities help ensure that these courts respond to and mitigate the substance use challenges of court-involved Native youth, promote healing, and foster youth accountability.
Additional Resources
- Model Programs Guide: Drug Court Programs
- National Juvenile Treatment Court Dashboard
- Opioid Affected Youth Initiative Website
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline
- Substance Use in Adolescence
Publications
- Drug Treatment Courts
- In Focus: Drug Courts
- Painting the Current Picture: A National Report on Treatment Courts in the United States
A list of other related publications
Stay Informed
OJJDP is a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) in the U.S. Department of Justice. For updates on programs that support communities and advance justice throughout the country, subscribe to Justice Programs News & Funding a twice-monthly email newsletter. To receive weekly updates on open funding opportunities, sign up for Funding News, a notice of new grant releases and application tips.