Communication Within the Treatment Court Setting
- In addition to providing direct treatment services, the treatment court team should expect that clinicians will advocate for the humane and effective treatment of addiction.
- Treatment providers share if and how the participant is responding to medication for OUD and other aspects of treatment.
- Treatment reports should include the quality of the participant's engagement and their recovery management progress, in addition to reporting on attendance and compliance.
- Treatment for OUD includes not just reduction in opioid use but engagement with family, employment, and education and avoiding criminal activity.
- Team members contribute relevant insights, observations, and recommendations based on their professional knowledge, training, and experience. The judge considers the perspectives of all team members before making decisions that affect participants' welfare or liberty and explains the rationale for such decisions to team members and participants.
- The judge's decisions and orders regarding treatment should be based solely on the assessment and recommendation of medical professionals and treatment professionals and the participant's preferences.6
