Lessons from a Six-Year Drug Treatment Court Evaluation: Improving Program Processes and Participant Outcomes
Faculty Advisor Name
Dr. Amanda Teye
Department
Department of Political Science
Description
Abstract
Lessons from a Six-Year Drug Treatment Court Evaluation: Improving Program Processes and Participant Outcomes
This paper presents findings from a comprehensive evaluation of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Adult Recovery Court (RHARC), a post-adjudication problem-solving court targeting high-risk/high-need nonviolent offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders. Funded by a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant awarded in October 2018, the project sought to expand the capacity of RHARC to deliver evidence-based substance abuse treatment and recovery support services. RHARC is the only high-risk/high-need diversion intervention in the region, serving residents of Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The initial goal of the SAMHSA-funded project was to enroll 200 participants. Between 2018 and 2024, RHARC referred 406 individuals and successfully enrolled 202 participants, surpassing its target. This final technical report evaluates the program's implementation, participant characteristics, outcomes, and overall impact over the six-year grant period, including a final no-cost extension year.
This paper has evaluated seven key categories of variables across six years of its implementation. Those variables include demographics (e.g., age, gender, race, veteran status), substance use and mental health (drug of choice, diagnoses, MAT use), program engagement (referrals, time to entry, phase completion), treatment received (therapy hours, peer support, insurance access), behavioral compliance (violations, sanctions, incentives), recovery and self-sufficiency (employment, housing, education, court payments), and outcomes (drug abstinence, recidivism, health, and social support at six-month and long-term follow-ups).
RHARC utilized a five-phase recovery court model integrating judicial supervision, clinical treatment, case management, and peer support. The court’s operations were informed by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (All Rise) best practices and included Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), relapse prevention services, individual therapy, and drug screening. During the extension year, RHARC launched new initiatives such as the Transitional and Recovery Housing Assistance Program and the Peer Recovery Alumni Group, both designed to address persistent barriers like housing instability and the need for long-term peer support.
Despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing challenges, RHARC demonstrated impressive performance across multiple indicators. At the six-month follow-up, 87.2% of participants reported abstaining from drug use, and significant improvements were seen in health, employment, and perceived social support. Recidivism rates were lower among program graduates compared to non-graduates, affirming the long-term effectiveness of the recovery court model.
However, the evaluation also identifies areas for improvement. Many participants received fewer treatment hours than recommended, particularly in individual therapy. Peer support services were primarily concentrated in the later phases of the program, though early integration is shown to improve outcomes. Housing insecurity and inconsistent access to community-based mental health services continued to challenge participants. Recommendations include expanding early assessments for mental health and health insurance, improving referral and enrollment processes, offering more robust employment and educational support, and using less punitive sanctions in response to relapse.
This paper provides a detailed account of RHARC’s evolution into a comprehensive, evidence-based recovery court and offers actionable insights to inform future program development. With continued commitment to participant-centered services, peer engagement, and data-driven decision-making, RHARC serves as a replicable model for recovery courts nationwide.
Lessons from a Six-Year Drug Treatment Court Evaluation: Improving Program Processes and Participant Outcomes
Abstract
Lessons from a Six-Year Drug Treatment Court Evaluation: Improving Program Processes and Participant Outcomes
This paper presents findings from a comprehensive evaluation of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Adult Recovery Court (RHARC), a post-adjudication problem-solving court targeting high-risk/high-need nonviolent offenders with substance use or co-occurring disorders. Funded by a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant awarded in October 2018, the project sought to expand the capacity of RHARC to deliver evidence-based substance abuse treatment and recovery support services. RHARC is the only high-risk/high-need diversion intervention in the region, serving residents of Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The initial goal of the SAMHSA-funded project was to enroll 200 participants. Between 2018 and 2024, RHARC referred 406 individuals and successfully enrolled 202 participants, surpassing its target. This final technical report evaluates the program's implementation, participant characteristics, outcomes, and overall impact over the six-year grant period, including a final no-cost extension year.
This paper has evaluated seven key categories of variables across six years of its implementation. Those variables include demographics (e.g., age, gender, race, veteran status), substance use and mental health (drug of choice, diagnoses, MAT use), program engagement (referrals, time to entry, phase completion), treatment received (therapy hours, peer support, insurance access), behavioral compliance (violations, sanctions, incentives), recovery and self-sufficiency (employment, housing, education, court payments), and outcomes (drug abstinence, recidivism, health, and social support at six-month and long-term follow-ups).
RHARC utilized a five-phase recovery court model integrating judicial supervision, clinical treatment, case management, and peer support. The court’s operations were informed by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (All Rise) best practices and included Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), relapse prevention services, individual therapy, and drug screening. During the extension year, RHARC launched new initiatives such as the Transitional and Recovery Housing Assistance Program and the Peer Recovery Alumni Group, both designed to address persistent barriers like housing instability and the need for long-term peer support.
Despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing challenges, RHARC demonstrated impressive performance across multiple indicators. At the six-month follow-up, 87.2% of participants reported abstaining from drug use, and significant improvements were seen in health, employment, and perceived social support. Recidivism rates were lower among program graduates compared to non-graduates, affirming the long-term effectiveness of the recovery court model.
However, the evaluation also identifies areas for improvement. Many participants received fewer treatment hours than recommended, particularly in individual therapy. Peer support services were primarily concentrated in the later phases of the program, though early integration is shown to improve outcomes. Housing insecurity and inconsistent access to community-based mental health services continued to challenge participants. Recommendations include expanding early assessments for mental health and health insurance, improving referral and enrollment processes, offering more robust employment and educational support, and using less punitive sanctions in response to relapse.
This paper provides a detailed account of RHARC’s evolution into a comprehensive, evidence-based recovery court and offers actionable insights to inform future program development. With continued commitment to participant-centered services, peer engagement, and data-driven decision-making, RHARC serves as a replicable model for recovery courts nationwide.
