Jean Ansourian

Drug Court

Broward County's Drug Court is the third oldest drug court in the nation created in 1991. The Drug Court Treatment Division has been serving Drug Court participants since 1999. The Drug Court Treatment Division has jail/prison diversion programs for persons with substance-related conditions who have cases in the Judicial Drug Court. The Pretrial Intervention Program serves as an alternative to traditional incarceration for non-violent criminal offenders charged with purchasing or possessing a controlled substance and/or other substance abuse-related offenses. PTI participants may be eligible to have their felony charges dismissed by completing the program. In addition, the Post-Adjudicatory Program diverts adjudicated felons with substance-related conditions from returning to prison. Recently, the Division has created the DOCP Track to expand its services beyond the Judicial Drug Court to individuals across all court divisions who need court ordered substance use evaluations and substance use treatment, including those with misdemeanor charges. The programs strive to break the cycle of substance use and criminal justice involvement by using various individualized treatment services to help each individual obtain and sustain a meaningful recovery, restoring the participant as a productive member of society.

The Drug Court Treatment Division is licensed to provide intervention and outpatient services through the State of Florida Department of Children and Families. The Drug Court Treatment Division is accredited by CARF International, Inc., an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote quality, value and optimal outcomes through a consultative accreditation process. Ours was the first program to be accredited under CARF's Drug Court Behavioral Health Core Program Standards in 2003 and has continued to be awarded three-year accreditations, which represents the highest level of accreditation.

The 17th Judicial Circuit Drug Court Judge, through regular court hearings, continually monitors Drug Court participants' progress. Failure to make progress in treatment results in a variety of graduated therapeutic interventions and possible sanctions by the court. Positive progress with treatment requirements results in incentives rewarding positive behaviors. For clients who are not in the Judicial Drug Court, periodic progress reports are shared with the assigned supervision officer, who reports any concerns back to the assigned Judge. Pretrial Intervention (PTI) participants sign a Deferred Prosecution Agreement that includes a speedy trial waiver and a limited confidentiality waiver so staff can report the participant's progress directly to the Court. The Florida Department of Corrections supervises most clients, but some are supervised by BSO Pretrial or BSO Probation. Legal eligibility for the Judicial Drug Court is determined by the court.

To participate in services, participants must meet the following criteria:

• Adults ages 18 or older

• Participant is identified as having a substance use problem and is amenable to treatment

• Volunteer to participate in services at the BSO Drug Court Treatment Division

• For program admission, agree not to take any prescribed medications with potential for abuse such as benzodiazepines or opioids. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) medications are accepted.

• Note that individuals are ineligible for program admission if they are sex offenders or have Forcible Felony charges – see Florida Statute 776.08. Individuals with other violent charges/convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Participants presenting with co-occurring mental health and/or medical conditions will be afforded the same opportunities for treatment. All participants will be screened and, if necessary, linked to additional services and/or referred to other levels of care when clinically necessary.

BSO's Drug Court Treatment Division utilizes best-practice standards to treat its participants. Participants are screened and assessed to determine the most appropriate course of treatment. The program utilizes the Risk and Needs Triage (RANT) to measure the level of criminogenic risk and treatment needs. Participants receive specific services based on their risk and needs, including evidence-based curriculum to address substance use and criminal thinking. The program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to substance use treatment, encompassing traditional and innovative interventions.

The services available include:

• Court-ordered substance use evaluations

• Diagnostic and assessment services

• Individual therapy

• Group therapy

• Psychoeducational groups

• Co-occurring services

• Treatment planning

• Drug testing

• Relapse Prevention

• Case Management

• Referrals to ancillary services

• Psychiatric services

• Family services

• Transitional housing vouchers

• Bus passes

• Court Liaison

Participants are referred to community sober support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and Smart Recovery to establish supportive recovery bonds before treatment discharge.

Participants may be referred to other treatment components such as detoxification, non-residential day/night treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, residential treatment, or jail-based educational programs during the program. Alternative programs may be used with the approval of the Judge.

There are no fees for any services provided by the Drug Court Treatment Division.

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

IF YOU ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO INTERPRETER SERVICES AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE INFORM STAFF OF THE TYPE OF AUXILIARY AID OR SERVICE YOU NEED. IN ADDITION, SERVICES MAY BE ACCESSED THROUGH FLORIDA RELAY by dialing 7-1-1 or calling toll free: 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), 1-800-955-8771 (TTY), 1-877-955-8773 (Spanish), 1-877-955-8707 (French Creole).

SI USTED ES SORDO O NO OYE BIEN USTED TIENE DERECHOS A SERVICIOS DE INTREPRETE GRATIS. POR FAVOR DE INFORMAR AL PERSONAL SI NECESITA ESTE SERVICIO. ADEMAS, PUEDE USAR LOS SERVICIOS DE RELEVO LLAMANDO AL 7-1-1 o los siguientes números gratis: 1-800-955-8770 (Ingles), 1-800-955-8771 (TTY), 1-877-955-8773 (Español), 1-877-955-8707 (Creole Frances).

SI OU PA PALE ANGLE, SI OU BEBE (SOUD) SI OU MAL POU TANDE, SI JE OU PA BON, OU KA JWEN MOUM POU EDE-W TRADWI EPI INTEPWETE POU OU GRATIS. TANPRI MANDE POU YO EDE-W. Ou Kapab joyn lot sèvis Ou Kap rele nimerwo 7-1-1 (nan tout eta- Laflorid la) Oubyen rele telefòn gratis sa yo: 1-800-955-8770 (Vwo), 1-800-955-8771 (TTY), 1-877-955-8773 (Spanol), 1-877-955-8707 (Francais oubyen Creole).

You are entitled to receive services and information in appropriate languages other than English, to ensure effective communication and participation in all programs, services and activities administered by the Department of Children & Families and its contracted services providers. Please inform staff of your language needs, and interpreter services will be provided at no cost to you. 

Para asegurar la comunicación efectiva y participación en todo programa, servicio o actividad administrada por el Departamento de Niños y Familias y sus proveedores de servicios bajo contrato, Usted tiene el derecho de recibir servicios e información en su lengua. Tenemos a su disposición servicios de intérpretes gratuitos. Si esta interesado, por favor solicítele ayuda a la recepcionista. 

Ou emezi pou jwen sèvis ak enfòmasyon nan lang pwa nan pwogram, ak aktivite Depatman Timoun ak Fanmi et lot moun ki gin contra sèvis avek yo. Tanpri di nou ki lang ou pale. Ou ka jwen moum pou ede-w tradwi oubyen entèprete pou ou gratis.