Drug Court

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Drug Court ​​

Drug Cou​rt was Kentucky’s first Specialty Court program and has a long track record of significantly reducing the negative impact of substance use and criminal behavior on the commonwealth. Since being introduced as a pilot program in 1996, Drug Court has grown and now serves all 120 counties. 

Participants in a Drug Court program have been diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Kentucky Drug Courts are designed to foster progress in the four major dimensions of recovery: health, home, purpose and community. 

Drug Court is part of an ongoing effort to combat the rising number of drug-related crimes in our communities. These courts work by recognizing success lies in ending substance abuse and that fines and jail time are unlikely to prevent future criminal activity. Traditional methods of addressing substance use, such as strict probation and mandatory imprisonment, do not attack the core problem of substance use. Drug Court combines close court supervision, treatment, agency collaboration and other recovery support services to intervene and break the cycle of substance use disorder and crime.​



Individuals eligible for Drug Court have been charged with a criminal offense, with their primary presenting problems stemming from substance use disorder. Instead of spending time in jail, Drug Court participants choose to complete a substance use disorder recovery program supervised by a judge. The program operates with a multidisciplinary team approach involving collaboration among local judges, Drug Court staff, prosecutors, defense counsel, treatment professionals, law enforcement officers and other community agencies, such as those involved with education and jobs.

Drug Court staff work closely with treatment providers and other community agencies to offer a holistic approach to recovery and help participants gain control and stability in their lives.

Participants engage in behavioral health treatment, self-help/community support groups and frequent, random urine screening. They are required to make progress with their individualized program plans, which commonly include goals of obtaining employment, attaining a GED and reunifying with their children.

Some counties offer programs for both felony- and misdemeanor-level offenses. Those who successfully complete the Drug Court program may have their charges dismissed through diversion or be granted conditional discharge through probation. Drug Court graduates are more likely to return to productive lives and stay gainfully employed, pay child support and meet other obligations.​