Special Bd. of Aldermen — 02/27/2017 Page 8
Alderman Tencza
| Know the graduation rate in Nashua is about 60 percent. The highest performing drug courts across the
country have about a 60 percent graduation rate, so the program here is high performing. As far a recidivism
rates, Julie can talk more about it than | can, but the studies show that even if somebody participates in the
drug court but doesn’t full complete it, the recidivism rates for those folks is also lower than if they had just
gone through the traditional criminal justice responses to the system, meaning probation or incarceration.
Mayor Donchess
Just from what | Know of the area, any program that can keep 60 percent of people clean for two years is
remarkably successful.
Ms. Christiansen
There has been a tremendous amount of research on drug courts over the last 25 years. They have been able
to identify wnat components of drug courts are effective at promoting recovery and reducing criminal
recidivism. We really focus on sticking to those elements that have been shown and proven to be successful.
We feel pretty confident. | think research has shown that drug courts, the recidivism rate is far lower than it is
for traditional criminal justice programs like prison.
Alderman Jette
This is on the superior court level. My memory is that Judge Leary in the Circuit Court District Division, as it is
now called, started a drug court.
Alderman Tencza
There’s a mental health court for folks who are struggling specifically with mental health issues, which is run
through the circuit court, the district court. There’s also a veterans court which is somewhat similar. Again, in
order to be eligible for drug court, the participants have to undergo two screenings. They have to show that
they are a high risk to reoffend, meaning commit new crimes. They also have to show that they are a high
need for substance abuse treatment. Someone who is just at the district court is most likely not going to meet
either of those criteria. The other research for drug courts show that if you put someone who is not high risk to
reoffend, who is not high need for treatment in with the high risk population, you are actually going to make that
lower risk person worse. The high risk people are going to rub off on that person who is why when | started the
presentation | said that it is not for the folks who are struggling and it’s not for the folks who are just coming into
the criminal justice system for the first time. VVe don’t want to put them in with the drug court participants they
are hopefully going to be able to be managed by other means than this intense program.
Alderwoman Melizzi-Golja
If you have this handout electronically, can it be sent to Ms. Lovering so it can be attached to our minutes
because it has your contact information. Thank you.
President McCarthy
Any other comments? Thank you very much. Is there a motion?
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE TO ADJOURN
