Remember the report that exposed shortcomings in Hamilton County Drug Court early this year after Judge Nicole Sanders asked for a review of the operations?
The National Drug Court Institute evaluators unleashed an array of recommendations in late April for the drug court – which offers a treatment approach to some offenders with drug use disorders. The report showed multiple ways the court had been failing to meet best practices and standards.
“I knew the court was antiquated,” Sanders said then. She was elected in November 2020, replacing longtime Judge Kim Burke on Jan. 3.
She asked for the drug court professionals' review upon her arrival and promised to make a multitude of changes they recommended.
So you might wonder, whatever happened to that endeavor? The Enquirer asked. Here's what's changed and how:
- The drug court professionals said Sanders' staff needed to be trained. That training under the National Association of Drug Court Professionals was completed, and staff has continued to additional training.
- Evaluators encouraged the court to add more treatment providers. Additional treatment providers have been added to the mix in an effort to offer programs that meet the needs of each participant.
- The drug court professionals said the court failed to enter participants into treatment in a timely fashion – even holding them unnecessarily for up to two weeks. This was a practice of the former judge. The court has reduced the time between the initial court date, assessment, and entry into treatment. Participants are now being assessed the same day, or at least no later than the next day, recommended for treatment based on clinical assessment, and immediately connected with a treatment provider.
- Evaluators said it appeared that participants were recommended for drug court based on subjective reasons rather than formal assessments. The court now has an independent assessor.
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The review says Hamilton County Drug Court did not have a “phase” structure," which would outline what a participant has to do to move to the next level. Clients are now given a program participant handbook that outlines the entirety of the program and what is required to complete Drug Court.
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Apparently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the court was holding scheduled drug testing rather than random testing. When Sanders learned this, Drug Court Director Isaiah Lumpkins said, she changed the regimen to random testing. That continues to be the regimen.
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Evaluators said the court needed to create a database to track clients' progress and the court's progress. Lumpkins said the court now is collecting 56 points of information that will be submitted to the Supreme Court quarterly and another 12 points for internal use designed to help the court identify trends and adjust its practices to optimize outcomes. It also will help audit the program to address any points of concern, Lumpkins said.
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The court was not certified by the Ohio Supreme Court in 2021 because Sanders saw the drug court professionals' evaluation and pulled the application for certification. That caused money loss. Sanders is working closely with the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and Ohio Supreme Court as the court moves toward submitting a new application for certification in the "very near future," Lumpkins said.
Among the drug court's treatment partners is Crossroads Center in Corryville. "I’m so glad we have a new judge" said Dr. Roberto Soria, chief medical officer, "and they are looking at bringing it (the court) into the 21st century. It had much to be desired."
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