Missouri Partners in Crisis Advocating Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

St. Louis City Adult Felony Drug Court Pays Off

The St. Louis Adult Felony Drug Court in the City of St. Louis is a pre-plea drug court that began in April 1997 and accepts individuals charged with drug crimes shortly after arrest.  The program is voluntary.  Participants must submit to regular breath testing for alcohol and urinalysis for drugs, make regular court appearances, find and maintain employment, and participate in prescribed drug and alcohol treatment.  If they successfully complete the program, which averages nearly a year and a half in length, their original charges are dismissed.

In a study completed in 2004, results showed considerable cost savings associated with participation in Drug Court, as apposed to Probation.  While initial costs of Drug Court were higher than Probation, over a four year period, the costs associated with Drug Court were considerably less than those for Probation.

 Various benefits (cost savings) were found for drug court graduates compared to probationers during and after drug court and probation.   

• Costs of jail time were less overall for drug court graduates 

• Costs of pretrial detention were dramatically less for drug court graduates. 
• Wages of drug court graduates were higher during and after drug court. 
•  Drug court graduates also averaged significantly more months working than probationers.  This led to: 

• Higher taxes and FICA paid by graduates of drug court.
• Lower TANF and food stamps utilized by drug court graduates. 

• Health care costs and mental health services were significantly lower for drug court graduates after drug court.  
• Drug court graduates who were incarcerated were incarcerated for shorter periods after graduation with reduced incarceration costs. 
• Costs to the criminal justice system and costs to victims of crime were lower for drug court graduates compared to probation completers. 
• The number of infants who were born drug-exposed and the consequent costs were greater for probation completers than for drug court graduates.   
• Comparing the excess costs of drug court with the benefits after drug court: 

• A net savings of $2,615 per graduate was found during the first 24 months after drug court compared to probation completers. 
• A total of $2.80 in outcome savings was realized for Missouri citizens for every $1.00 in additional costs of drug court during the first 24 months after drug court or probation. 

Overall Costs and Benefits.  By projecting all follow-up costs and benefits for an additional 24-month period, calculations of costs and benefits were possible over a four-year period. 

• Net savings over four years after drug court or probation amounted to $7,707 per drug court participant.  This represents the expenses that would have been incurred by the taxpayer had these drug court clients attended regular probation. 
• For every dollar in additional costs for drug court for the 219 drug court graduates, taxpayers realized a savings of $6.32 over the four-year period. 

Gross Savings over Four years:  The total cost of drug court for the 219 graduates was $1,706,775 or $7,793 per graduate.  The benefits during the four-year period after drug court amounted $2,005,274 for all 219 graduates or $9,156 per graduate:   

• After four years the benefits exceeded the total drug court cost associated with graduating 219 individuals by $298,399 or $1,362 per drug court graduate.

Click here for the full report.

Join Us   Links   Talking Points    Contact Us   Legislation/Advocacy   News   Research

Return to Home Page