Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Jim Hackler Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) Note: Jim Hackler is the author of Canadian Criminology: Strategies and Perspectives. The 4th edition has just been published. DRUG COURTS: HOW WILL AUTHORITIES RESPOND? Imagine a village faced with an illness. Community leaders gather to decide what to do. They suggest various remedies. The mayor swears by ladybugs ground up and mixed with beer. A young medical doctor, who recently moved to the village, notes that this particular illness can be treated with antibiotics. After a discussion they vote. The ladybug formula wins. Many of our policies regarding crime seem to be created in this way. It is democratic, but is it wise? Admittedly, scientific research rarely provides clear guidance for social policy. Science seldom tells us precisely what we should do. In fact, it usually cannot tell us why or how things work or fail to work. However, science is fairly good at identifying good ideas that do not work. The reason good ideas fail typically eludes us. But in the long run, scientific research in criminology increases the odds that our policies are effective instead of doing damage. Governments are also more likely to base policy on reports they have commissioned. Several decades ago the Alberta government asked me to summarize research on alternative measures, strategies for diverting young people from the juvenile justice system. Some alternative-measures programs have been known to increase delinquency. Having paid for this report, the Alberta officials paid attention to my presentation. Since then I have offered the same information free to those with influence. People are not interested in free information. Once I was invited by an organization of youth court judges in the U. S. to describe my research on juvenile justice systems in other countries. They paid me an enormous fee. Perhaps they thought I was a lawyer. They seemed interested in my findings. Since then I have offered these ideas to governments at no cost. No takers. Recently important people have shown an interest in drug courts. There are many different types of drug courts. Some have major drawbacks. Others appear to be promising. Will anyone look at the research? So far it is not conclusive, but some findings suggest potential pitfalls. A judge in California organized a drug court which appears to be promising. He sent me a videotape. A few people have seen it. I offered it free to influential people and organizations. No takers. Obviously my strategy is faulty. Thus, for $500 I will let the attorney general, police chiefs, mayors, judges, and other prominent people see this video of a promising drug court. My office phone is: 472-4722. Have your $500 ready. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman