Trauma Informed Drug Testing Protocols in Treatment Court Programs

Abstract

Individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) and those involved in the justice system, particularly within Treatment Courts, are at a heightened risk of having a trauma history. In response to this issue, many Treatment Courts have adopted trauma-informed practices, considering language, environments, and treatment services. However, the re-traumatizing potential of traditional drug testing procedures has received limited attention. Many Treatment Courts employ intrusive human-observed urine collection, which can be unsafe, shaming, humiliating, and invasive for individuals with trauma histories. This commentary advocates for trauma-informed approaches to drug testing, emphasizing the preservation of dignity and healing while ensuring the integrity of toxicology data. By combining trauma-informed principles with best practices in drug testing, a more compassionate and supportive environment can be created within Treatment Courts, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for participants affected by substance use and mental health disorders. This commentary aligns the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's trauma-informed principles and proposed best practices for Trauma-Informed Drug Testing in the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) Technical Assistance Brief.