Problem Solving Courts

This resource is a 2011 DPS summary of 2005 research from R.H. Moos regarding some reasons why clients don’t respond to substance abuse treatment – or even experience negative effects from treatment – and provides some practical tools for those supervising clients to improve outcomes.

This is a 1998 document from the Office of Justice Programs outlining the definition, purpose, and importance of proper screening and assessment in the drug court context. In addition to general information, provides further detail on screening issues for women, individuals with mental health concerns, suicidal individuals, and screening for motivation and readiness for treatment. Provides detailed information on the timing and content of an assessment, as well as who should conduct the assessment and what instruments are available. CAUTION: Potentially outdated in certain areas.

The purpose of this document is to provide Drug Court staff with a concise and current overview of important issues relating to offender risk assessment and to provide a list of recommended contemporary risk instruments.