Melissa Hostetler

In the following viewpoint Melissa Hostetler contends that drug courts—which seek to rehabilitate criminals charged with minor drug offenses utilizing a combination of treatment, testing, and judicial supervision—are not as effective as many supporters claim. In fact, she argues, drug courts have not resulted in fewer people sentenced to prison for drug possession. Hostetler also asserts that drug courts are proving more expensive than incarceration, and she criticizes drug courts for using up the resources of community- based treatment programs, leaving many of those seeking voluntary drug treatment without help. Hostetler is a journalist and cofounder of Frictionmagazine.com.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How much money has the federal government spent on drug court programs since 1995, as reported by Hostetler?
2. According to the...