Nebraska Drug Court Saves Taxpayers Millions 

Douglas County, Nebraska, is saving taxpayers $3.4 million a year because of its drug court.

This finding came from a recently-completed study by Cassia Spohn and R.K. Piper of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The study tracked more than 250 participants in the Douglas County Drug Court over a two-year period. Using a "cost-to-taxpayer" approach to compare drug court and non-drug court groups, Spohn and Piper found that the county saved an average of more than $11,000 per drug court participant. Drug court participation led to fewer "up-front" costs and lower recidivism rates.

The cost-benefit evaluation was one of three studies commissioned by the Douglas County District Court. The other two studies provide valuable information on the characteristics of drug court participants. Together the reports present a powerful case for the value drug courts provide to their local communities.

(2/4/2005)