STEP Court – Mecklenburg County – DWI Treatment Information

Drug Treatment Court in Mecklenburg County

The Drug Treatment Court program is a non-traditional court sponsored program aimed at stopping the cycle of abuse of alcohol and other drugs related to criminal activity. Begun in 1995, the program offers substance addicted defendants charged with non-violent offenses an alternative to incarceration. Program participants are held accountable for their behavior in a rehabilitative environment that provides a holistic approach to substance abuse while ensuring the safety of the citizens of our community.

Program participants are referred by their attorney or by the sentencing judge. Participants are screened prior to admission to determine their appropriateness for program participation. Upon acceptance, participants are assigned a case coordinator who works with them for the duration of their program participation, which is minimally one year in length. The case coordinator assists program participants with the myriad of problems that they may be faced with in their lives outside of their substance abuse issues. They meet regularly with program participants to assist in modifying behavior changes and assist participants in gaining appropriate access to needed services (i.e. medical, social, employment, and housing).

The Drug Treatment Court Program currently operates 6 court programs (2 District Courts, 2 DWI Courts, 1 Superior Court, 1 Family Court, 1 Juvenile Court and 1 Mental Health Court).