Drug Court Treatment Program

The Drug Court Treatment Division is a deversionary program that was designed as an alternative to traditional incarceration for first time, non-violent criminal offenders who are charged with the purchase or possession of a controlled substance and/or other substance abuse related offense. The one-year program helps to break the cycle of addiction and criminal justice involvement by using a variety of individualized treatment services to restore the participant as a productive member of society.

The Division is accredited by CARF and became the first Drug Court in existence to be accredited under CARF's drug court standards. The accreditation ensures that all clients are receiving a high quality of service while enrolled in treatment.

The Drug Court Judge, through regular court hearings continually monitors all participants' progress. Failing to comply with the requirements of the program results in the imposition of a variety of graduated sanctions. Participants sign a Deferred Prosecution Agreement that includes a waiver of speedy trial and a limited waiver of confidentiality so staff can report the offender's progress directly to the Court. All participants are supervised by Florida Department of Corrections, Pretrial Intervention Officers.

Offenders who wish to have their felony charges dismissed will be eligible to participate in the Drug Court Treatment Program by meeting the following criteria.

• Age 18 or older
• No prior felony conviction
• Charged with substance abuse-related charge(s).

BSO's Drug Court Treatment Program is a four-phase, multi-disciplinary approach to substance abuse treatment that encompasses both traditional and innovative interventions. The Program offers:

• Diagnostic and assessment services
• Orientation groups
• Education groups
• Group & individual therapy
• Fellowship meetings
• Treatment interventions
• Urinalysis screening
• Acupuncture
• Apprenticeship program
• Educational/vocational referrals
• Relapse Prevention
• Case management
• Psychiatric counseling
• Family Orientation Classes
• Family Support Groups
• Alumni Groups
• Transitional Housing
• Transportation

The Before Arraignment Phase is licensed by the Department of Children and Families to provide general intervention and addresses the primary needs of the participants entering treatment. Participants are assessed and evaluated. Crisis counseling is also available. Substance abuse education groups are provided four times per week and frequent drug tests are conducted. During this phase of treatment, participants are required to attend fellowship meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous and/or Alcoholics Anonymous three times weekly.

Phase I is the first stage of the treatment component. All components aree licensed by the Department of Children and Families to provide outpatient services and are accredited by CARF. Phase I addresses the participant's receptiveness to substance abuse treatment - emphasizing a drug-free lifestyle, social adjustment and the development of mechanisms for coping with stressful situation. During this initial phase, participants attend group counseling four times per week for a minimum of 30 days and drug monitoring is frequent. To help reduce cravings, acupuncture sessions are encouraged. During this phase of treatment, participants are also required to attend fellowship meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous and/or Alcoholics Anonymous three times weekly.

Phase II participants attend group counseling two times per week for a minimum of four months. Services include counseling, urinalysis monitoring and acupuncture, when necessary. Participants are encouraged to interface with community resources, such as Narcotics Anonymous and/or Alcoholics Anonymous.

Phase III participants attend group counseling one time per week for a minimum of four months. Self-sufficiency is a strong component during this final phase with discharge planning provided to all participants prior to graduation. Random drug monitoring is required weekly. Participates are required to attend fellowship meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous and / or Alcoholics Anonymous.

Any time during treatment, participates may be referred to other treatment components such as detoxification, non-residential day/ night treatment, intensive residential treatment or jail-based treatment. Alternative programs may be used with the approval of the Drug Court Judge.

Participants are charged a fee for services based on a sliding scale that measures income and the number of dependents. All participants are expected to pay for treatment on a weekly basis.

For more information, please contact the Drug Court Treatment Division at (954) 497-3610.

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Manager Dwight Stephens
Drug Court Treatment Division

Dwight Stephens graduated from Eckerd College in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and from Florida Atlantic University in 1999 with a Masters of Education in Mental Health Counseling. He is certified by the state of Florida as a Certified Addiction Professional.

Mr. Stephens is ...more

Alternative to Jail

BSO's Drug Court employs group seminars like this one as part of its program to help drug offenders stay of out of jail and break the cycle of addiction.

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