Informing the Justice System
Principal Investigator
|
Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Community Health |
Funding Source
Justice, Equality, Humanity, Tolerance (JEHT) Foundation
Description
This 2 year grant was awarded to Physicians and Lawyers for National Drug Policy. Kathryn Cates-Wessel is a Co-Principal Investigator. PLNDP is working with the National Judicial College to develop a resource guide and training to educate the justice system about the science of alcohol and other drug problems, the need to implement evidence-based practices, and the need to develop an integrated legal and medical system. The justice system is often society’s first and many times only opportunity to identify individuals with alcohol and other drug problems. As a result, the justice system is uniquely positioned to link these individuals to treatment and other community resources. An integrated public health-public safety approach that blends functions of justice and treatment systems is an effective approach to reduce crime and incarceration as well as decrease alcohol and other drug problems.