Louisiana Drug and Specialty Court

The Louisiana Drug and Specialty Court considers individuals facing charges for crimes related to chemical dependence or mental health. The goal of this division is to offer alternatives to incarceration and approach justice issues with compassion. Eligible defendants have the opportunity to participate in drug treatment programs and court supervision in lieu of incarceration, but participants must commit fully to all parameters outline by the court. Failure to complete all requirements may result in incarceration time. During the first twenty years that the Louisiana Drug and Speciality Court operated, more than 15,000 participants avoided incarceration and successfully completed the requirements of their respective programs. The court system boasts a success rate of 90%, which illustrates the effectiveness of the program and its impact on incarceration rates in the state. Additionally, the court has saved the community nearly $200 million while investing vital resources into treatment services that put individuals on the path to recovery rather than house them in correctional facilities.