16-22-102 - Legislative intent Goals. - Tennessee Statutes

16-22-102. Legislative intent Goals.

(a)  The general assembly recognizes that a critical need exists in this state for criminal justice system programs to reduce the incidence of drug use, drug addiction and crimes committed as a result of drug use and drug addiction. It is the intent of the general assembly by this chapter to create a program to facilitate the implementation of new and the continuation of existing drug court treatment programs.

(b)  The goals of the drug court treatment programs created under this chapter include the following:

     (1)  To reduce the use of jail and prison beds and other correctional services by nonviolent chemically dependent offenders by diverting them into rehabilitative programs;

     (2)  To reduce incidences of drug use and drug addiction among offenders;

     (3)  To reduce crimes committed as a result of drug use and addiction;

     (4)  To promote public safety through these reductions;

     (5)  To increase the personal, familial and societal accountability of offenders; and

     (6)  To promote effective interaction and the use of resources among local criminal justice agencies and community agencies.

[Acts 2003, ch. 335, § 1.]