Oklahoma DUI/Drug Court Program

The Oklahoma County Drug Court program was initiated in 1998, and was developed to divert persons from prison or jail, while helping them achieve and maintain total abstinence from drugs by becoming a more productive and law abiding citizens. DUI Court was implemented in 2001 with the same goals and purposes.

The 7th Judicial District Drug/DUI Court Program is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program for non-violent defendants with alcohol and/or drug problems. This is a voluntary program which includes regular court appearances before a designated Drug/DUI Court Judge and treatment services, which include random drug and alcohol testing, individual and group counseling, specialized counseling, regular attendance at self-help meetings, requirements to attain and keep employment and obtain a GED, if needed.

The Drug/DUI Court Program is a combined effort of the Court, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Court Administration, Police Department, Department of Corrections, and health care and substance abuse counseling providers.

To apply for DUI/Drug Court, contact the Coordinator’s Office

Investor’s Capital Building
217 N Harvey Ave., Suite 505
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 713-7160

For information on treatment facilities contact the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DRUG COURT PROFESSIONALS

The scientific community has put Drug Courts under a microscope and concluded that Drug Courts work; better than jail or prison; better than probation and treatment alone. Drug Courts significantly reduce drug use and crime and are more cost-effective than any other proven criminal justice strategy.

Drug Courts Reduce Crime

FACT: Nationwide, 75 percent of Drug Court graduates remain arrest-free at least two years after leaving the program.

FACT: Rigorous studies examining long-term outcomes of individual Drug Courts have found that reductions in crime last at least three years and can endure for over 14 years.

FACT: The most rigorous and conservative scientific “meta-analyses” have all concluded that Drug Courts significantly reduce crime as much as 45 percent more than other sentencing options.

Drug Courts Save Money

FACT: Nationwide, for every $1 invested in Drug Court, taxpayers save as much as $3.36 in avoided criminal justice costs alone.

FACT: When considering other cost offsets such as savings from reduced victimization and healthcare service utilization, studies have shown benefits range up to $27 for every $1 invested.

FACT: Drug Courts produce cost savings ranging from $3,000 to $13,000 per client. These cost savings reflect reduced prison costs, reduced revolving-door arrests and trials, and reduced victimization.

FACT: In 2007, for every Federal dollar invested in Drug Court, $9 was leveraged in state funding.

http://www.nadcp.org/learn/facts-and-figures

STORY OF SUCCESS – Recent DUI Court Participant (partial graduation speech)

“I let alcohol destroy my life; a life with a profession I worked hard to obtain. I turned to alcohol to deal with pain, stress, fear, emotional difficulties. In 18 months I destroyed what it took a lifetime to build.  Today, I am alcohol free, living a life of sobriety, a life not without hardships or shortcomings, for the pain and stress are still there, yet a life with the ability to face adversity and find humor in most situations. I may never know why I thought alcohol was the answer; today, I know it is not. Alcohol did not remove the fear, did not remove the pain, did not remove the sleepless nights, nor the inability to forgive, however, it did distort my thinking for a short time. Woefully, all those things were still present when the alcohol wore off. Stealing from the Marshall Tucker Band, too late I asked, ‘Can’t you see, can’t you see what you are doing to me?’ I never again want to wake to face the hideous Four Horsemen described by Bill W.; terror, bewilderment, frustration and despair.

For those of you just beginning your journey, I stand before you to say DUI court is not a program that sets you up for failure. DUI court is a program that gives you a chance, in fact for many, multiple chances; a chance to change, to evaluate yourself and answer that question ‘who are you?’ The program provides you with skills and tools to confront your addiction if you choose to utilize them. It is a program that builds upon itself, allowing you to reflect, synthesize, adapt and employ, remembering half measures avail you nothing. If you are inclined to think you can half way work this program you are wrong.”