Data Insights: Nearly 3,000 Graduate From King County Drug Court as Program Marks 30th Year
In September, King County Drug Court celebrated it’s 30th anniversary since it was founded in 1994 by late King County Prosecuting Attorney Norm Maleng and former King County Superior Court Judge Ricardo Martinez. Since that time, nearly 3,000 people have successfully graduated from this rigorous program, which gives participants an opportunity — and support — to change their lives for the better.
At the time of it’s founding, King County Drug Court was the 12th such program in the nation and the first in Washington State.
How Does Drug Court Work?
When a case is filed into Drug Court, participants come under the court’s supervision and begin a minimum 10-month program of treatment sessions, at least 2 random drug tests per week, and appearing before the Drug Court judge on a regular basis.
Drug Court is only available for adults charged with certain drug and property crimes fueled by addiction. There are numerous disqualifying criteria, including ID thefts that target vulnerable victims, any violent/sex crime convictions, or possessing a firearm as part of the case. If individuals do not opt-in to Drug Court or do not successfully complete the program, they resume with traditional court prosecution.
On average, participants are enrolled in Drug Court for 18 months, where they are supported by a collaborative team of prosecutors, public defenders, treatment and administrative staff, housing case managers, resource specialists, and peer specialists.
One of those Peer Specialists is Marjorie Drieu, who graduated from Drug Court in October of 2020. Marjorie credits Drug Court with giving her the tools and support to not only finally succeed in her recovery, but reestablish then-strained relationships with her family and become a mother.
Today, Marjorie gives back to her community by helping other people in recovery and who are participating in Drug Court.
In late October, Marjorie joined Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (and long-time Drug Court Prosecutor) Tali Smith, and King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion to provide a deep dive on Drug Court for members of the media.
Drug Court’s Incredible Impact
Marjorie’s story, and the data shared by Smith at the media briefing, make clear Drug Court’s demonstrably positive outcomes for participants and the community. Here’s some highlights:
Reduced Recidivism — 90% of Drug Court participants have no new felonies at 36-month follow-up, per Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) analysis. 73% have no new crimes at any level, including no new misdemeanors. Not just graduates — it is all participants.
Increased Employment — Drug Court participants sustained a 107% increase in employment at 18-month follow-up, per DSHS analysis.
Reduced Jail Bookings — Drug Court participants showed a 79% decrease in jail booking over the long term.
Decreased Homelessness — 100% of Drug Court participants were housed at program exit.
Net benefit — $22,000 per participant, or a $4 return on every $1 invested. Drug courts produce a return on investment 100% of the time.
With 30 years of data and analysis, our community can now say with confidence that Drug Court helps improve public safety and prevent future crime.
Every month, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office — along with judges, family members friends, and case managers — celebrates a new group of graduates, many of whom say Drug Court saved their life. And they mean that literally.
People come to Drug Court homeless, addicted to substances, and facing time in jail or prison.
They come to drug court because their behavior is negatively impacting themselves and other people.
Through Drug Court, participants get a second chance. In so many instances, Drug Court graduates not only achieve stable housing and employment, but sometimes, like with Marjorie’s story, they are able to reunite with their families, stay connected to their children, and go on to help other members of our community have that same shot at redemption.
