Drug courts: current issues and future perspectives.

This article provides an overview of the evolution of the "drug court" concept in the United States, from its introduction in Miami in 1989 to the over 1300 programs now operating or being planned in every state. The topics covered will include: a) a description of the drug court process and services compared with the traditional adjudication process; b) principal findings to date, including what has been learned and what still needs to be studied; c) implications of the drug court concept for other aspects of the U.S. justice system; and d) unresolved critical issues that will impact upon its future development.