1 Welcome! Welcome to the Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court Program. This program was created to give a defendant with a history of legal charges and a substance dependence diagnosis an opportunity to seriously address their addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. The Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court not only treats the addiction of the participant, but provides an opportunity to get back the losses of your addiction. Defendants must sign a contract agreeing to be a part of this program, since there are certain requirements placed by the court. Defendants are required to participate in substance abuse counseling to address their addiction and behavioral patterns. Defendants must attend daily sobriety meetings and life skills groups, if directed by Choices Groups, Inc. Las Vegas Justice Drug Court participants must continue in an after care program for the duration of the program. The participants may also be required to complete community service projects to help develop a sense of giving back to their community. By choosing to enter the Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court Program, you are choosing perhaps the best opportunity you will ever have to reclaim and rebuild your life. The program is incentive and therapeutic intervention based on the participant. The participant will receive rewards for perfect compliance, as well as therapeutic interventions for failing to comply with the rules of Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court. Participants must secure employment, be enrolled in school or be disabled and receive aid otherwise. Twenty hours of weekly community service may also be required while not employed and the lifting of early curfew is an earned incentive. The court will determine this on an individual basis. This handbook is designed to answer your questions, provide overall information about the program, and explain what will be required of you as a drug court participant. As a participant, you will be expected to comply with all drug court rules, follow the instructions given in drug court by the judge and comply with the treatment plan developed for you by the Choices and the Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court Team. Learning Objectives 1. Addressing dependency and co-dependency in offenders 2. Innovative treatment modalities of defendants 3. Therapeutic interventions for defendants and their families. Note: Please read this handbook very carefully because it is your responsibility to be familiar with its contents. We encourage you to share this information with your family and friends who support your recovery.
2 The Drug Court Team Judge Ann E. Zimmerman serves as the leading force of the Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court Team and presides over all team meetings and drug court sessions. The judge makes all decisions regarding your participation in the drug court program based upon input from the various team members, providers, and other support services. In addition to the judge, the drug court team consists of the following members: Prosecuting Attorney Drug Court Coordinator Drug Court Case Manager Treatment Specialist(s) Law Enforcement Representative Mental Health Specialist Housing Manager, if applicable Prior to each drug court session, the drug court team members will meet to review your case so that your progress can be discussed with you during the drug court session. Progress Reports Before your drug court hearing, the judge will be given a progress report presented by the drug court coordinator, case manager and your treatment provider(s). The entire drug court team will review and discuss the progress report, which will discuss your drug testing results, attendance, participation and cooperation in the treatment program, compliance with housing rules, and compliance with drug court rules and requirements. The judge may ask questions about your progress and discuss any problems you may be having during your court appearance. You will be expected to
3 discuss openly and honestly how you are progressing in treatment and what issues may be affecting you. If you are doing well you may be rewarded with incentives. If the team concludes from its consideration of your progress reports that you are not making progress or complying with rules and requirements the judge will discuss this with you and determine future action, which may include therapeutic interventions to help you remember and pursue your goals in the program and move toward or maintain your recovery. Drug Court Sessions As a drug court participant, you will be required to appear in drug court on a regular basis. The number of times you must appear depends upon the phase of drug court you are currently in and the level of your success in the program. Failure to appear will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest and detention in jail until you can appear before the court. If you have questions about your court appearances you may contact the drug court coordinator, your treatment provider or your attorney. While drug court is more informal than other court proceedings, participants still need to be concerned with their courtroom behavior and courtroom attire. The following behavior at court sessions will not be tolerated. Arriving late and leaving early: Court begins at 1pm on Mondays and ends when the judge excuses you. An important part of Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court participation is attendance and attention for the duration of court sessions unless specifically excused by the court. You are responsible for arranging other obligations to accommodate your attendance at complete drug court sessions. You will need permission to miss a court appearance. Talking: At times conversations in the courtroom by participants become so loud that other participants and staff cannot hear the judge speak. Remember that while Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court sessions are more informal than other court proceedings, you are nevertheless; in a courtroom in a formal court proceeding and you are expected to
4 conduct yourself accordingly. Chatting or visiting and movement in and out of the courtroom are not appropriate conduct during drug court sessions. Attire, food and cell phones in the courtroom: Please wear appropriate clothing to court. This includes pants, skirts on or around the waist line. Blouses or t-shirts must sit at or below the waist band. Tank tops, halter tops, backless tops, and cut-off shorts are not appropriate and not allowed. Food, drinks, and powered cell phones or pagers are not permitted in the courtroom. Please inform your family members and guests of these restrictions. PLEASE SHOW RESPECT! Phases of Drug Court Phase I Orientation and Early Intervention ~Will attend program orientation, submit UA, and schedule intake ~Will continue with random UA testing ~Relapse in any phase will result in relapse schedule that adds extra day ~Sign up for substance abuse counseling and other appointed classes ~If necessary, go to your mental health appointment and remain compliant on Medications for the duration of the program ~Go to Clark County Social Services to establish eligibility for rental assistance ~Go to State Welfare to establish eligibility for food stamps ~Be employed or have signed up for Social Security Income/Disability by end of phase ~To complete an Action Plan for Relapse and submit it to the court ~remain compliant in the program and meet all treatment goals Phase II Therapeutic and Education ~Will attend group counseling and individuals three times per week. ~Will submit to random drug testing ~May earn extended curfew by the court and/or an overnight visit ~Compliance in all court matters, including 60 days of negative drug and alcohol testing as confirmed by UA testing ~Start a secured savings account with Nevada State Bank (not a checking account) ~Sign up for GED classes if high school diploma is not completed (by end of month 4) Phase III Therapeutic Process ~Group and Individual counseling twice per week ~Random UA testing ~Continued sustained progress in all treatment and services, including substance abuse counseling, sobriety meetings, court appearances, negative drug and alcohol testing, etc. ~Be employed and have a budget and be prepared to move into independent living ~Identify long term personal goals to submit to the court before graduation into Phase IV ~Be involved in a voluntary community service project of your choice for at least 4 hours a week throughout the rest of the program, and provide proof of hours to the court.
5 Phase IV Therapeutic Maintenance ~Group and Individualized Counseling once per week ~Randomized UA testing ~To be assigned to work with a new participant and work with that person as a mentor for their first 90 days by assisting them through their first phase ~Sustained sobriety with at least 180 days clean ~Compliance in all court requirements including drug testing ~Compliance in aftercare counseling ~To demonstrate to the court through your behavior, that you understand the nature of your addiction by exercising personal responsibility for your recovery by completing our pre-graduation packet at least 30 days prior to graduation for drug court team to approve and sign. GRADUATION! Community Based Sobriety Group Participation Participation in a sobriety fellowship group is required, if so ordered by Choices or the court, because such groups help you examine, understand and recover from your addiction through the guidance, support, and encouragement of others who are in recovery from addiction and understand what you are going through. Participants must attend each meeting in its entirety, staying only long enough to have an attendance slip signed its not permissible and may result in a therapeutic intervention. Participants must also bring proof of attendance to court to be given to the Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court case manager or coordinator to examine for compliance. Failure to do so will be dealt with in court. If the groups that are available to you include some religious component that conflicts with your religious or personal beliefs, you may ask the judge to exempt you from participation in such groups. If you are exempted from participation, the drug court team will require that you participate in alternative services or programs that provide similar help but do not conflict with your religious or personal beliefs. Payment of Costs and Fees You will be required to pay drug court costs and fees to the extent that the judge finds that you have the reasonable ability to pay. Your payments won t interfere with your rehabilitation, recovery, and graduation. Your case will not be officially closed until the fee is paid in full. The cost of Las Vegas Court Drug Court is a flat fee of $400.00. You may be ordered to pay full restitution for the pending charges against you. The cost of challenging a positive drug test is $100.00. This is the cost to send it to an outside lab for further analysis.
6 Confidentiality State and federal regulations require that your identity and privacy be protected. To comply with these regulations, the drug court team and treatment providers have developed policies and procedures that guard your privacy. You will be required to sign an authorization and consent for disclosure of confidential substance abuse information. The consent allows confidential substance abuse information to be disclosed only to drug court team members and the information will be used solely for the purpose of monitoring your progress in treatment, and when necessary, determining appropriate changes in your treatment or other program requirements or appropriate incentives or therapeutic interventions. Drug Court Rules As a participant you will be required to abide by the rules outlined in the participant agreement, including, but not limited to the following: 1. Do not use or possess any illegal drugs, alcohol, drug paraphernalia, including over the counter and/or non-prescribed synthetic mind altering drugs. 2. Sign a drug court participation agreement, which outlines your rights, benefits, and responsibilities. See attached form. 3. Inform your treating physicians that you are a person in recovery and may not take narcotic or an addictive medication or drug, unless approved by your attending physician and drug court team, and only in the case of medical emergency. If these types of drugs are required on a regular basis, you may be determined ineligible for the drug court program and may be medically discharged. 4. Be on time and attend court sessions and treatment sessions as scheduled, submit to random alcohol and drug testing, and remain clean and sober and law abiding. 5. Participate in all treatment and services as required by drug court. This includes extra-curricular activities provided for family engagement. 6. Avoid, when possible or as ordered by the drug court, associating with persons using or possessing drugs. You may be held accountable for any persons you associate with while you are in this program. 7. Do not possess or use any weapons. Disclose the presence of any weapons possessed by anyone else in your household or you may be held accountable for their unlawful behavior. 8. Keep the drug court coordinator, treatment specialist and law enforcement representative informed of your current address and phone number at all times. In
7 addition, Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court staff must be able to find a participant at all times, so it is your responsibility to keep the drug court staff, and your housing placement informed of your whereabouts at all times. 9. As a condition of participation in the drug court program, your person, property, place of residence, vehicle or personal effects may be searched at any time, with or without a warrant, upon a reasonable suspicion by the drug court coordinator or any law enforcement officer. Any evidence found during a search cannot be used against you unless the evidence relates to a felony All situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 10. Dress appropriately for court and treatment sessions. You are expected to wear a shirt or blouse that sits at the waist, pants or dress or skirt of reasonable length and shoes at all drug court or treatment sessions or meetings. Clothing that bears violent, racist, sexist, drug or alcohol-related themes or promotes or advertises violence, alcohol or drug use will not be permitted. Hats and/or sunglasses may not be worn in the courtroom. 11. Pay costs and fees as ordered by the drug court. All participants will be required to complete a financial eligibility screen to determine ability to pay fees. 12. Abide by all rules, regulations and requirements imposed by the drug court. 13. Do not leave Clark County without the prior approval of the judge or coordinator. 14. Reside in Clark County. Compliance with drug court rules will result in rewards called incentives. Failure to comply with rules may result in therapeutic interventions. Incentives Incentives may be awarded by the judge following consultation with the drug court team when you comply with drug court rules and requirements while also demonstrating progress. Incentives may include but are not limited to: Recognition by the court or judge MVP Pins for going beyond the call of duty Gift certificates Promotion to next phase of program Show & movie tickets Allowed travel on weekends with approval from the drug court team Overnight passes Miscellaneous events
8 Various incentives will be given to participants who demonstrate certain levels of progress and cooperation. Therapeutic Interventions Therapeutic interventions may be imposed by the judge, following consultation with the drug court team when you do not comply with drug court rules and requirements and/or do not demonstrate progress. There is a wide range of interventions available that the judge can impose. Interventions may include, but are not limited to: Verbal reprimands Increased requirements Community service Work Crew Demotion to an earlier phase Loss of clean and sober time Electronic monitoring No contact orders Jail Time Termination from the program for repeated or serious non-compliance Journaling Writing Assignments The court, at weekly staff meetings, determines whether you are in compliance with Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court requirements and will make recommendations for appropriate incentives or interventions, and you do not have the right to a hearing before the court to make such determinations. Termination from Drug Court New arrests or serious or repeated violations of drug court rules and requirements or any aspect of your treatment plan may result in your being terminated from the drug court program. Violations that could result in termination include, but are not limited to the following: Missing and or positive drug tests, including testing for synthetic drugs Altered drug test Demonstrating a lack of program response by failing to cooperate with the drug court team or treatment program Violence or threat of violence directed at drug court staff, treatment staff, and other participants of the program or other clients of the treatments providers. Repeated failures noncompliance with drug court program rules If the drug court concludes that your termination may be necessary, you will receive a written notice that explains why termination is being considered and, if you so request, a
9 fact-finding hearing will be held to determine whether your participation in drug court should be terminated. Search and Arrest Requirements As a participant in drug court, you are required to submit your person, property, vehicle, place of residence and/or personal effects to search and seizure of narcotics, drugs, or other contraband at any time of the day or night, with or without a search warrant, upon a reasonable suspicion, based on the facts, by the drug court coordinator or any law enforcement officer, that you are violating drug court rules or orders. Any evidence found will be not be used as the basis for a new charge against you unless the evidence relates to a felony. Situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any law enforcement officer is authorized to arrest a drug court participant whom the officer observes: Violating any criminal law punishable by incarceration Ingesting a controlled substance, including marijuana, or alcohol To be under the influence of a controlled substance, including marijuana, alcohol, or over the counter synthetic drugs Possessing alcohol or drug paraphernalia Participants who are arrested will appear before a judge or court commissioner and will be required to appear at the next drug court session. Chemical Testing (Drug & Alcohol Screening) You will be required to submit to random drug testing throughout your participation in drug court. Testing measures may include urinalysis, breathalyzer, saliva strips, patch testing or other testing devices. Under no circumstances will drug test results be used as evidence of a new crime, a violation of probation, or in any other manner not consistent with the goals of the drug court program. When you provide a sample for testing you will be directly observed by trained staff to ensure the absence of tampering or other errors. After you have provided a sample, you will be asked to place a security seal on the sample container and initial and date the seal in front of staff. If you refuse to provide a sample when asked, you will be treated as if you had tested positive. If you miss a test, delay providing a sample more than 30 minutes, or provide a sample that is determined to be diluted or otherwise adulterated it may be considered a positive (dirty) test and other interventions may occur. Please be aware that court staff will wait for no longer than 30 minutes to obtain a sample from participants due to a tight calendar and caseload. If you have a positive test in any drug court phase, you will loose your clean and sober time accumulated in drug court and the drug court judge, based on recommendations from the drug court team or treatment staff, may apply other immediate therapeutic interventions, to help to stop your drug-using behavior.
You will be required to pay a fee of to $100.00, to challenge each positive drug test. Dilute UAs are considered problematic and will be dealt with accordingly. It is up to you to provide a reliable sample. Please take the following steps to ensure that your UA will not return diluted: 1. Eat food at least one hour prior to testing 2. Do not consume large quantities (2 or more cups) of water or other drinks immediately before your test Do not take/drink diuretics (diet shakes, teas, over the counter diuretics, etc.). Personal Matters The Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court enjoys a strong relationship with our local therapeutic providers and the sobriety community. These providers have emphasized to the Las Vegas Court Drug Court that personal/romantic relationships in the first year of sobriety are not encouraged among participants due to numerous factors including losing sight of your own sobriety, stress, and the pain that relationships can create prior to developing more appropriate coping mechanisms. In addition, it should be noted that participants are strictly prohibited from entering into romantic relationships with other drug court participants and doing so may cause for termination. This is your time to work on matters that resulted in consequences that earned you entrance into drug court. Each participant s personal matters will be dealt with on an individual basis. Graduation Upon your successful completion of a treatment program and satisfaction of all other drug court requirements, including continued sobriety and approval of your pregraduation application by the drug court, you will graduate from the drug court program and the pending charge or charges against you will be dismissed. Graduation from the drug court program represents a great accomplishment and is recognized as a very important event. Your friends and family that support your sobriety will be invited to join you at a special graduation ceremony as the drug court team congratulates you for successfully completing phases I-IV of the drug court program and achieving your goal to establish a drug-free life. Alumni Group and Continuing Care In order to provide you with a continuing support system and to ensure that you can maintain your valuable sobriety, during the end of your third phase you will be invited to participate in a drug court alumni group that offers support and guidance as you continue on with your sobriety. A choice also invites you to participate in ongoing group 1 0
1 1 counseling at no charge. Please take advantage of this opportunity for continuing support of the sobriety you have worked so hard to achieve. Your participation will also be an opportunity to prove to the drug court team, to yourself, and to those that care about you, that you are committed to a new life as a productive, law-abiding, and clean and sober member of society. This is a position that may continue after graduation. Conclusion The goal of the Las Vegas Justice Court Drug Court program is to help you achieve a life free of dependence on mind-altering substances. Your acceptance into the drug court means that the drug court team has concluded that you can succeed. The judge and other drug court members, court staff and treatment providers will be there to guide and assist you throughout your participation in drug court, but the final responsibility for success or failure will be yours. To succeed, you must honestly desire to change to a new life free of drugs and willing to work hard with those who will be available to help you reach that goal.