From Diversion Experiment to Policy Movement

Abstract

Drug control in the United States has historically been based on a penal approach and led by federal legislations and initiatives. This top-down, punitive approach to the drug problem is still prevalent in American drug policy making. The authors present a case study of a bottom-up policy initiative to remedicalize the processing of addicted offenders. Past prosecutorial experiments often failed because of flawed understandings, unrealistic expectations, and lack of sustained public support. This article considers a New York–based, prosecutor-led program that diverts repeat felony drug offenders from prison to residential treatment. Through successful recruitment of political allies, continuous rejuvenation of the program, emphasis on research and evaluation, and maintenance of ideological vagueness, the Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Prison (DTAP) program has yielded positive results, been replicated in other jurisdictions, and prompted Congress to entertain federal DTAP legislation. The history of DTAP is summarized, and lessons for future innovations are discussed.