During these challenging times, the Utah State Legislature faces the difficult task of balancing a state budget with revenues that fail to match planned expenditures. In looking to cut expenses, one of the programs being considered for a large funding reduction is the Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA).
According to the Utah Department of Human Services:
Approximately 85% of Utah's prison population has a drug abuse problem related to their criminal behavior. In an attempt to focus on the cause of the crime, not the crime itself, Utah Legislators approved the Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA). The Program, built on the success of Drug Court, is a collaborative effort between Treatment Providers, Adult Probation and Parole, and Judges. Working together, these three entities screen, assess, treat, supervise, and impose sentencing according to the treatment needs of offenders with substance abuse problems. This program has proven to increase the chances of successfully completing probation and participants have higher rates of treatment completion. A 2008 study demonstrated that 88% of participants had successfully abstained from using alcohol during the course of treatment.
The 2011 state budget may reduce statewide DORA funding significantly. Unfortunately, this will mean that the majority of the people served by DORA statewide – 845 people in 2008 – would not be able to participate in this worthwhile program.
Please consider contacting your legislator to voice your support for DORA funding. To find the contact information for your State Senator or Representative, visit http://le.utah.gov/Documents/find.htm.
During these challenging times, the Utah State Legislature faces the difficult task of balancing a state budget with revenues that fail to match planned expenditures. In looking to cut expenses, one of the programs being considered for a large funding reduction is the Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA).
According to the Utah Department of Human Services:
Approximately 85% of Utah's prison population has a drug abuse problem related to their criminal behavior. In an attempt to focus on the cause of the crime, not the crime itself, Utah Legislators approved the Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA). The Program, built on the success of Drug Court, is a collaborative effort between Treatment Providers, Adult Probation and Parole, and Judges. Working together, these three entities screen, assess, treat, supervise, and impose sentencing according to the treatment needs of offenders with substance abuse problems. This program has proven to increase the chances of successfully completing probation and participants have higher rates of treatment completion. A 2008 study demonstrated that 88% of participants had successfully abstained from using alcohol during the course of treatment.
The 2011 state budget may reduce statewide DORA funding significantly. Unfortunately, this will mean that the majority of the people served by DORA statewide – 845 people in 2008 – would not be able to participate in this worthwhile program.
Please consider contacting your legislator to voice your support for DORA funding. To find the contact information for your State Senator or Representative, visit http://le.utah.gov/Documents/find.htm.