Child abuse and neglect cases are skyrocketing in Montana, where many areas of the state are struggling with the methamphetamine epidemic.
These cases have doubled since 2010 in the state, and they aren’t slowing down: In the first three quarters of 2016, there have been nearly 2,000 cases filed. But rather than having many of these cases tear families apart or contribute to the country’s mass incarceration epidemic, they’re instead being sent to family drug courts.
Family drug courts are similar to adult drug courts; they allow participants to receive chemical dependency treatments, take frequent drug and alcohol tests and are based on a system of “rewards” and “sanctions” depending on their progress. But family drug courts go further: They’re modeled to focus on healthy parent-child relationships, with a high demand on accountability at work and at home.
These drug courts have reduced recidivism by an average of 14 percent throughout the country (and the best drug courts reduce it by as much as 80 percent). Better yet, families are able to heal after drug addiction nearly tears their family apart.
Read the full story here (via The Montana Standard).
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Header photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash