Restorative Justice Through Wellness Courts

TREATING ADDICTION AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s Wellness Courts focus on restorative justice by treating addiction as a public health issue. Through teamwork and support, we help people heal and build stronger connections while lowering long-term costs.

COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

Wellness Courts are managed by a multidisciplinary team including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, behavioral health professionals, and others. Support from family and friends is encouraged through participation in hearings, programs and activities.

HISTORY & PURPOSE

Wellness Courts, previously known as drug courts, were started in the 1990s to offer non-violent offenders with substance use disorders and addiction issues a way to treat their addiction, reduce recidivism, and avoid harsher consequences like jail and prison sentences.

ECONOMICS

While initial treatment costs are higher for participants, the drop in recidivism rates saves the Community money in the long run, in court costs, incarceration costs, treatment costs, and other related expenses.

BUILDS COMMUNITY

There are thousands of wellness courts across the country. A study by the U.S. DOJ found that wellness court participants were less likely to use substances and were more likely to test negative for substances than comparable offenders who were not involved in wellness courts.

For more information, you can visit:
https://ojp.gov/feature/treatment-courts/overview