A New Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century

Oklahoma is participating in a new criminal justice system and it appears to be working. The Rogers County Drug Abuse Program has the best record.

A special court is given the responsibility to handle cases involving less serious drug and alcohol using offenders through a supervision and treatment program. Rather than accept time in prison, the defendant is given the choice to participate in the Drug Abuse Program. Once started, the program must be completed fully; otherwise full jail time is served from the point of non-compliance. The program is not easy for the participants! The defendant must undergo frequent drug testing, judicial and probation supervision, drug and alcohol counseling and treatment, mandatory attendance at NA and/or AA meetings; all of which is paid for by the defendant. In the meantime, he/she must hold a job and finish any community service work assignments levied. Educational opportunities are available to the defendant if needed and wanted.

The court and District Attorney have the discretion of sanctions (fines and jail-time) for non-compliance while incentives are given for compliance. There are five phases and the defendant will be phases up upon completion of each phase requirement. Completion of the Program varies with each defendant with average completion time at about two years. As the defendant phases up the demands of the program lessen until finally at graduation - all charges are expunged (erased) from his/her records.

Graduation is a celebration with all Drug Court participants and family members in attendance as the Judge dismisses charges for each graduate and allowing time for them to share what they have learned in their experience. Afterward, a dinner is served with a cake for each graduate.

Drugs in Oklahoma

Methamphetamine (meth) is the primary drug of choice in Oklahoma, mostly brought in by Hispanic organizations. Oklahoma serves as a transshipment point for drugs via the interstates 40 and 44 that intersect the State, while interstate 35 provides critical North/South transportation avenues for drug traffickers. Cocaine from Texas and Mexico, heroin in limited quantities, club drugs (which are on the increase) are also available in Oklahoma. Marijuana is readily available through import from Mexico and locally grown. Pharmaceutical drugs are obtained via fraud prescriptions, doctor shopping, pharmacy break-ins and hospital thefts.

Worth the cost?

According to several conservative estimates from the Oklahoma Drug Abuse Report, for every $1.00 invested in treatment programs yields a return of between $4.00 to $7.00 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs and theft alone. When savings related to health care are included, total savings can exceed costs by a ratio of 12 to 1. Major savings to the individual and society are significant. The cost for addiction treatment is approximately $4,700 per patient, whereas one full year of imprisonment costs approximately $18,400 per person. (2007 estimate)

Rogers County

The Rogers County Drug Abuse Program is the best in Oklahoma with the overall rehabilitation rate. This program gives many people the chance to grow and change their lives.....that is what our society needs today. The principals involved in the Rogers County Drug Abuse Program seem to be very adept at what they are doing and sincere in their desire to rehabilitate. They are to be commended for their efforts.