Policy Action Center

 

What is the NADCP Policy Action Center?

The NADCP Policy Action Center leads the charge in securing adequate funding for Drug Courts and Problem Solving Courts.

 

What Does the Policy Action Center Do?

We Advocate for Increased Funding. Currently, the Drug Court movement only receives a fraction of the funding Congress itself decided was necessary to successfully transform our judicial system. NADCP's policy action team advocates for increased funding to support five primary goals:

 

1. Implementation - Planning for and implementing new Drug Courts.

2. Sustainability - Providing for the continued operation of existing Drug Courts.

3. Expansion - Providing for increased capacity of existing Drug Courts.

4. Improvement - Funding scientific research, training, and technical assistance.

 

We Advocate for Rational Sentencing Policies. Rational sentencing policies enable citizens battling substance abuse and/or co-occurring/mental health issues to get the help they need. NADCP's policy action team works to educate policymakers by keeping them apprised of the most recent sentencing policy-related research.

 

How Does the Policy Action Center Do It?

• Mobilizing Drug Court professionals, participants, graduates, and friends to advocate on the behalf of the movement.
• Advocating within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
• Advocating within the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
• Advocating within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Recommending policy improvements that support substance abuse and/or mental health treatment for individuals who are caught in the criminal justice system.
• Educating lawmakers at the Federal, State and local levels regarding the laws and policies that best support the Drug Court model and are consistent with the findings of the latest available research.
• Advocating for laws and policies that represent a reasoned and informed approach to drug addiction and criminal justice.
• Cooperating with other agencies and organizations to build a community of support and innovation for Drug Courts and Problem Solving Courts.
• Assisting in the development of proposed legislation that supports substance abuse and/or mental health treatment for individuals who have been placed in the justice system.