Standards on Substance Abuse: Standard II. Courthouse as information and referral center

Standard II

Since substance abuse is a factor in a large percentage of criminal and family cases, the courthouse should serve as a substance abuse information and referral resource center. Substance abuse information and referral services should be available to every party at every stage of every case.

Commentary

Written information about substance abuse and the availability of treatment should be made available in the courthouse, given to anyone who requests it, and distributed by court staff. Information about substance abuse can be disseminated through a display of pamphlets and brochures in the courthouse lobby, or at the clerk's or register's counter, the probation or family service office, the court clinic, the child care center, the victim/witness office, or the law library. The Probation Department should obtain information suitable for distribution from the Department of Public Health and other sources.