Springer Drug Courts: A New Approach to Treatment and Rehabilitation

This concise yet comprehensive reference is the first of its kind and draws on the authors’ personal teaching file of cases from the Adult Drug Court in California. The book offers unparalleled insight into the drug court system and the medical problems of drug court patients. It is the first book of its kind in the family medicine literature. The authors share their extensive knowledge of addiction and withdrawal, treatment of patients with dual diagnoses of mental illness and addiction, and treatment of drug-associated diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV. Review From the reviews: "This book was penned as a guide to educate those involved about the process and procedures associated in developing and administering an alternative program for the rehabilitation of substance abusers in the legal system. … this book is meant for ‘those who are operating or wishing to create a drug court, physicians who will frequently see people who are drug court clients, judges, prosecutors, treatment providers, defense attorneys, probation officers, case managers and coordinators currently working in a drug court.’" (Steven T. Herron, Doody’s Review Service, April, 2008) From the Back Cover This cutting-edge sourcebook is ideal for physicians, addiction treatment practitioners, probation officers, testing programs, judges and anyone else facing challenges in practice with the treatment of drug court participants. The authors share their extensive knowledge in treatment of addiction and withdrawal, treatment for patients with dual diagnoses of mental illness and addiction, and treatment of diseases associated with drug use, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV infection. Unparalleled discussions of the drug court system and the medical problems of drug court patients are presented. With concise yet comprehensive chapters, readers find essential coverage of drug testing, drug test collections and reports, and common scams for falsifying drug tests. Other topics include medical educational services that physicians can provide for attorneys, judges, counselors, probation officers, and clients; challenges that treating physicians encounter; appropriate use of sanctions and rewards; and medical interventions. The authors share their personal teaching file of cases from the Adult Drug Court in California to draw a detailed picture of how a Drug Court should be operated effectively. About the Author Dr. James Lessenger has practiced occupational and environmental medicine for more than two decades in California's San Joaquin Valley. In addition to keeping an active clinical practice, Lessenger is a Medical Review Officer on drug testing for the Department of Transportation and a consultant to many corporations and companies on drug testing, workplace drug issues, and industrial injuries. Dr. Lessenger has been a consultant to the Tulare County drug court since its inception in 1996 and was responsible for an exhaustive review of the system in 2001. Glade F. Roper, JD is the presiding Adult Drug Court judge for rural Tulare County. He started and has maintained the Drug Court since 1996 and has been a jurist in the county since 1989. He created and has taught the Advanced Drug Court Track at the National Rural Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for the last four years and speaks across the nation about rural drug courts and treatment issues.