Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for drug court?
What if I do not have any criminal charges - Where can I get help?
Can I transfer from another drug court?
How can I help a family member or friend who is struggling with substance abuse?
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The Uintah County Drug Court is a treatment court. It is designed to provide a treatment option for people who have been charged with a drug related crime.
There are three major components to the drug court: 1) Court supervision; 2) Testing; and 3) Treatment.
Each participant in drug court is directly supervised by one of the drug court judges. Participants have to appear before the judge as frequently as every two weeks. During this in court review, the judge finds out how each participant is doing in his or her treatment program. The judge receives reports from treatment providers, case managers and drug testing technicians.
To assist the judge in his supervisory duties, the drug court employs case managers who are also law enforcement officers. These case managers conduct home and employment visits, order random drug test, manage ankle monitoring and generally enforce court orders and program rules.
Testing the the second major component of drug court. Each participant is randomly drug tested as much as three times per week (more test can be requested by case managers). Each sample is tested for nine major drugs, including: methamphetamine/amphetamines; cocaine; marijuana; opiates; barbituates; and alcohol. Additionally, each test is monitored to identify potential tampering.
The Uintah County Drug Court uses hospital grade testing equipment. Positive drug tests are immediately reported to case managers, who can immediately arrest a participant. Other sanctions are imposed by the judge during the next court session with the judge.
The final component of drug court is intensive treatment. Northeast Counseling Center provides treatment for the Uintah County Drug Court.
Participants engage in individual treatment and group treatment. Additionally, participants are required to attend three or more 12 step groups per week.
All participants are required to help pay for their treatment and testing. All participants must maintain full time employment, and maintain a clean and sober lifestyle.
Who is eligible for drug court?
A person who has a current charge for:
1) Illegal possession of controlled substances and has one prior offense for controlled substances;
2) Forged or altered prescription;
3) A property crime and the primary motive was theft to feed an addiction;
4) A charge for distribution of a controlled substance and the circumstances are clear that the defendant is not a significant distributor, but the distribution was in furtherance of an addiction;
5) A felony and the person has two or more prior drug charges; and
a) The person has a sincere desire to end his or her addiction;
b) The person has a good probation or parole history, if he or she was previously on probation or parole;
c) The person has a good history being cooperative with law enforcement;
d) The person is willing to maintain a drug free living environment;
e) The person is willing to maintain full time employment; and
f) The person has completed an intake with Northeast Counseling and been approved by the intake evaluator and drug court team.
Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria may complete a drug court application. You can download an application by clicking on the link below.
Since this is an alternative for those who have criminal charges, potential applicants should fully discuss all the legal aspects of entering drug court with their attorney.
All applicants have to also undergo an evaluation at Northeast Counseling Center and pay any associated cost.
Can I transfer from another drug court?
Yes.
Before any transfer is approved, the applicant has to: 1) complete the Uintah County Drug Court application; 2) be approved by the Uintah County Drug Court team; 3) undergo an evaluation at Northeast Counseling and be approved by them; 4) be in good standing in the drug court you are now participating in; 5) be approved to move by your existing drug court judge; and 6) live in Uintah County.
What if I do not have any criminal charges - Where can I get help?
Uintah County is taking substance abuse very seriously.
Even if you do not have criminal charges, there is help. The Meth no More Project is specifically designed to provide assistance to anyone struggling with substance abuse. Click on this link for contact information.
How can I help a family member or friend who is struggling with substance abuse?
If you have a family member or friend who has a substance abuse problem, you may need help for yourself. Often, living with someone with a substance abuse problem can cause altered thinking.
Remember, you are not alone. There are many resources that can give you direction on how to help yourself, and allow the substance abuser to find help. Consider reading some of the materials that are available at various community libraries.
You can also contact the Uintah County Meth no More Project coordinator for a copy of a resource guide and other reading material.