Drug Court/Substance Abuse Treatment Court (SATC) – is a specialized court responsible for handling non-violent, drug/alcohol related cases through intensive supervision and substance abuse treatment. SATC provides offenders an opportunity to address their substance abuse issues with full support from the judge, treatment staff, probation officers, law enforcement officials, prosecuting and defense attorneys and addiction specialists. SATC is a highly structured 18-month program that focuses on responsibility and accountability.

In 2006, there were 149 total SATC participants, with 69 new cases entered that year. Of these, 87% have successfully remained in the program including the 28% who graduated. These individuals, despite their intensive treatment obligation, have remained mostly drug free with only a 6% drug re-occurrence rate and an employment rate of 86%. Only 19 or 13% failed the program, of which only 2% involved a new non-violent crime. The success of SATC graduates diverted $792,050 in state prison costs alone. Treatment costs for SATC participants equates to $2,817 per year in comparison to $21,900 per year for prison, or $10,010 for 6 months of county jail incarceration.

Prison cost savings totaled $1,774,340

BACKGROUND: The Richland County Drug Court program aka Substance Abuse Treatment Court has been in operation since April 1997. SATC is one of 22 designated National Mentor Courts by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), and a member of the Ohio Drug Court Association. The SATC Drug Court program does receive some financial and treatment educational assistance from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.