Drug Court Comes to Mexico

ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske joins NADCP faculty and CEO West Huddleston for a planning session with a delegation from Mexico at NADCP's 15th Annual Training Conference

The drug court system, an effective and humane alternative to the incarceration of drug offenders, is coming to Mexico.

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) is working with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to bring drug courts to Mexico. Eduardo Medina-Mora, the Mexican Attorney General, has announced that Mexico's first Drug Court will launch in the northern state of Nuevo Leon in September 2009.

Mexico's first drug court team is receiving training from the NADCP which will be completed in August.

This is a major step forward in both philosophy and practice, and signifies great positive change in the way that drug problems are being handled in Mexico. Although in its infancy, the success of the drug court approach has been supported by pioneers, and previous clients of the system, who have worked hard to show the beneficial effects of drug courts. Bravo to the NADCP!