WELCOME!

Thank you for choosing to enter the Charles County Adult Drug Court (“ADC”) program.  The mission of the ADC is to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life of participants, while reducing drug related crimes, incarceration, recidivism and providing substance abuse and mental health treatment to program participants. The ADC judge and ADC team work together to make all decisions about your participation in the program. In addition to the judge, the ADC team includes the following members:

• Drug Court Coordinator
• Drug Court Case Manager
• Probation/Parole Officer
• Law Enforcement Representative
• Substance Abuse Treatment Provider
• Assistant State’s Attorney
• Public Defender

As a participant, you will be expected to follow the instructions given by the Judge and follow the treatment plan developed for you by the ADC Team. You can expect to be in the program for at least 12-18 months, on average.  The ADC program includes frequent drug testing, judicial and probation supervision, group, individual, and family counseling, educational opportunities and the use of sanctions and incentives. The ADC is a four-phase program, and the intensity of services decrease as you progress through the program. In order to be successful in the ADC program, you must be dedicated to maintaining a sober and crime-free lifestyle. 

The ADC Program requires a great deal of effort on your part.  However, the ADC Team is committed to your success and will work very closely with you to help you change your lifestyle, thinking and behavior. As your quality of life improves, you will see the benefits of working an honest program in recovery. We will celebrate all your successes in life, and we will support you when things are difficult.

We welcome you to the ADC Program, and we pledge to do everything we can to support your recovery.  Your health and sobriety are our primary focus.  We know that recovery is a long road, and we are cheering for you every step of the way.

CONTACT INFORMATION

To view contact information, visit Contact Us.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The ADC Program is voluntary.  In order to be considered for the ADC Program, participants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must have a substance use disorder diagnosis (diagnosed by ASAM criteria);
• Must have a criminal case in the Charles County Circuit Court;
• Must be at risk for reoffending (determined by a risk/needs assessment);
• Must be facing jail or prison as a consequence of their offense or violation of probation;
• Must be willing to engage in substance use disorder treatment; and
• Must sign a written agreement to participate upon entry into the ADC.

Participant criteria may be waived at the discretion of the drug court team on a case-by-case basis.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To successfully complete the ADC, you are required to be involved in several activities which will benefit and sustain your recovery. As a participant in the ADC, you will be required to:

• Engage in substance abuse treatment
• Attend frequent court sessions
• Meet with your probation officer
• Submit to random urinalysis screenings
• Participate in self-help/sober support and/or prosocial activities (if recommended by treatment)
• Obtain employment and/or attend school
• Obtain your high school diploma or GED
• Pay court fines and restitution (if applicable)

COURT ATTENDANCE

Drug Court review hearings will be held twice per month for individuals in the first two phases of the program.  In the final two phases, participants will be permitted to attend review hearings once per month, unless otherwise instructed by the drug court judge.  The drug court judge will participate in bi-weekly staffing sessions with the drug court team and will be provided with updates on each participant’s progress before the court session.

Failure to appear may result in a warrant being issued for your arrest and detention in jail until you can appear before the court.

You must always keep the Court up to date regarding your current address, mailing address, telephone number (including cell phone numbers), and any other contact information.  Any changes should be reported immediately to the Drug Court Case Manager.  You also must notify the Case Manager right away if you are arrested or incarcerated.

APPEARANCE

Dressing appropriately is part of your recovery.  You are expected to wear neat, clean clothes for every appointment and Court appearance.  Sometimes, you may be coming to Court directly from your job, and on those days, it is okay to wear your work clothes.  Sunglasses and hats are not allowed in Court and cell phones must be turned off.  Generally, you should not wear tank tops, low cut necklines, extremely short skirts or pants, tightly fitting clothing, or clothing with references to drug or alcohol use, inappropriate language or gang symbols for any ADC appointment, activity or Court appearance. 

BEHAVIOR

Courtesy is expected.  The following actions are not tolerated and could lead to your termination from the ADC program:

• Violence or threats
• Use of obscene language
• Possession of any type of weapon
• Inappropriate sexual behavior or harassment

DRUG TESTING

You will be drug tested throughout the entire program at least twice per week. Testing will be on a random basis and will involve urine, saliva, or sweat patch testing.  Missed, unable to provide, diluted or tampered urinalysis (UA) tests will be treated as a positive UA result. Any attempt to falsify a UA test is a reason for immediate termination from the program.

MEDICATION POLICY

You must not use substances that could be habit forming, have abuse potential, be harmful to your recovery or that conflict with UA testing while participating in ADC. If you are taking any over-the-counter medications or prescribed medications, you must give the case manager and your substance abuse counselor a list for approval. Additionally, you must provide medical documentation to your case manager.

In addition, there are some substances which may cause you to test positive on drug and alcohol screens and should be avoided.  They include mouthwash, cologne, insect spray, and hand sanitizers. Do not use any substances that contain alcohol such as mouthwash or cough/cold medicine. If you are uncertain, please contact your case manager prior to use.

Medical Use of Marijuana

Use of marijuana for medical purposes will not be allowed without a letter from a doctor demonstrating the medical need.  If approved by the ADC staffing team, medical marijuana use will be closely monitored.  If you are on supervised parole or probation, you should know that using marijuana could violate your probation or parole and lead to jail time.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil

CBD oil made from hemp could be permitted, with a letter from a doctor; however, CBD oil made from marijuana will be reviewed more closely.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Treatment may be inpatient and/or outpatient based upon your assessment and your individual needs.  You are required to successfully complete all treatment recommended by your treatment provider before you can graduate from ADC. The continuum of care includes the following levels of care: Early intervention services, outpatient services, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)/partial hospitalization services, and medically managed intensive inpatient services. Your substance abuse assessment will determine which treatment level of care you will begin in Phase I of ADC.

ADC participants may participate in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), as it is an evidenced based practice for treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD). MAT combined with counseling and behavioral therapies is effective in the treatment of OUD. FDA-approved MAT includes: Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Should you choose to participate in MAT, you must provide documentation of your prescription to your case manager.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Your rights to confidentiality are protected by Federal laws. Information will not be released by the team without your written consent. You will be required to sign a consent form allowing treatment providers, program staff, and the rest of the ADC team to share and talk about your progress. That release of confidentiality will extend to others who may be present or participate in ADC staffing or other discussions about your participation. We will take all reasonable steps to respect your privacy and not discuss sensitive personal information in open court. The same confidentiality applies to you as a participant in the ADC program. Outside of substance abuse treatment and court, do not talk to anyone about any information you hear from or about any other participant.

RULES OF OTHER PROGRAMS

During your time in the ADC program, you may be referred to other services or programs including but not limited to job training, family education, anger management, parenting classes, mental health counseling, GED preparation, or others, based on your individual needs.

You must follow the rules of treatment providers, transportation services, or any other service provider.  If there is a conflict between the rules of the ADC and another program, please report the situation to the case manager immediately.  We can help you work out a plan to comply with both programs.

EMPLOYMENT

You must find and maintain at least part-time legal employment (20+ hours each week) or be enrolled in college, trade school or other education program (part-time, at least ten credits each quarter) in order to graduate. You must verify your employment regularly with your case manager by providing copies of your pay stubs. Once you get a job, or if your employment status changes, you must inform the Case Manager immediately.

SUPERVISION

As a participant of the ADC, you may be required to submit to electronic monitoring, or another monitoring service. A case manager will meet with you to review the requirements and explain how monitoring equipment works and what you will need to do. The technology and equipment used to monitor a participant’s compliance include but are not limited to:  Voice Recognition System, Home Electronic Monitoring, Cellular Monitoring and GPS Tracking. 

CURFEW

All participants are subject to a curfew throughout the duration of the program. Curfew is 9:00 p.m. in phase I and then it will extend to 10:00 pm, 11:00 pm in phase II, midnight in phase III, and no curfew in phase IV, unless otherwise adjusted by the ADC team. If a participant needs an adjustment to his/her curfew, he/she must get permission in advance from the ADC team to have the curfew modified for any reason.  In the event of a medical emergency, curfew may be waived by the ADC team.  Participants must contact the case manager after the medical emergency has resolved and provide documentation regarding the medical emergency. 

Unauthorized curfew violations will result in a sanction.

TRAVEL

You are not to leave the State of Maryland, for any duration of time, unless you have prior approval by your case manager.

PROGRAM PHASES

You must complete the four phases of the ADC program to be able to graduate. Your case manager will track your progress throughout the stages and report to the team when each phase requirement is met. Once you finish a phase you will be given a certificate and a list of requirements for the next phase. You may be eligible to move to Phase Four and be scheduled for graduation once you have completed Phase Three.  For more details about each phase and graduation, visit Requirements & Phases.

INCENTIVES AND SANCTIONS

Incentives

Your accomplishments in the ADC Program will be recognized with a range of incentives to encourage your continued progress.  All incentives are designed to support your continuing recovery. 

Incentives may include:

• Judicial praise/congratulations
• Reduction of court appearances
• Early advancement between phases
• Called at the beginning of the docket
• Selection from the “fishbowl” or candy
• Bus passes
• Curfew extension
• Reduction of fees
• Gift card

Sanctions

Sanctions provide immediate consequences for negative or inappropriate behavior, such as testing positive or missing treatment appointments.  You will be held accountable for relapse and for violations of program standards.  The ADC team will discuss your progress in the staffing sessions and make recommendations to the Court for appropriate sanctions. 

The ADC Judge will recommend an order for sanctions after allowing you an opportunity to be heard and to explain the negative behavior.  When sanctions are imposed, it is with the goal of moving you toward successful recovery, not simply to punish.

Sanctions may include:

• Increased court appearances
• Anger management
• Apology letter
• Increased self-help requirements
• Extension/reduction of phase
• Additional community service hours
• Incarceration
• Termination from ADC program

TERMINATION

The ADC team hopes that each participant will complete the program and be successful in his/her recovery.  However, some behaviors will warrant unsuccessful termination from the ADC program.  The ADC team will discuss possible termination at the regular ADC staffings and make recommendations to the Court.   After giving you the opportunity to be heard and to address the issues, the ADC Judge may recommend termination from the program. 

Conditions that may lead to your termination include:

• Threats of violence to yourself or others
• Violent acts of any kind to yourself, others, or property
• Possession of a dangerous and/or deadly weapon
• Selling or providing illicit drugs or alcohol to fellow ADC participants
• Failure to comply with treatment requirements
• Arrest or conviction on new charges that the FRC team determines warrant discharge
• Failure to attend ADC hearings
• Violating any provision in the participant contract

ADMINISTRATIVE DISCHARGE

In some situations, you may be discharged from the ADC Program without graduating from the program.  For example, you may take a new job with working hours that prevent you from attending Court sessions or you may move out of the immediate area and not be able to attend scheduled ADC program appointments.  If you have been successful in meeting your treatment goals up until that point, the ADC team may recommend an administrative discharge from the program. 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

For a complete list of available community resources, visit Community Resources.