The IADTC was founded in 1999 to promote Drug Treatment Courts and advocate for the establishment of Drug Treatment Courts. Based on the highly successful Drug Courts which first appeared twenty years ago in the United States, the first international Drug Treatment Court was launched in 1998 in Toronto, Canada.

Today, Drug Treatment Courts number over thirty and are located in eleven countries worldwide. This growing movement seeks to reduce substance abuse, crime and recidivism through a coordinated approach the combines the courts with law enforcement, probation and treatment.

Since its inception, the IADTC has grown both in membership and function to the international community. The IADTC serves as the international clearinghouse for Drug Treatment Court information.

IADTC:

  • Updates Drug Treatment Courts across the world on developments at the Unites Nations Office of Drug Control Policy.
  • Consults with jurisdictions worldwide interested in establishing Drug Treatment Courts, including providing startup information and training.
  • Maintains an international listserv to integrate the latest developments in Drug Treatment Court operation into member programs.
  • Facilitates discussion among international Drug Treatment Courts to maximize the use of the latest research and practices.