http://www1.spa.american.edu/justice/documents/1969.pdfAmerican University- Washinton DC
JUSTICE PROGRAMS OFFICE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE (BJA) DRUG COURT
CLEARINGHOUSE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FACT SHEET SERIES: The Appropriateness of Requiring
NA Meetings as a Condition of Drug Court Participation
Subject: The Appropriateness of Requiring AA/NA Meetings as a Condition of Drug Court
Participation.
From: BJA Drug Court Clearinghouse
Date: November 26, 2006
QUESTION
Leonard Kuentz, assistant public defender in Baltimore City, has raised the following issue:
I’m interested in whether there is an official position regarding the appropriateness of requiring NA meetings as a
condition of drug court participation.
1. Does your drug court require participants to attend AA/NA meetings as a condition of drug court participation?
2. If yes, (a) how many meetings are required per week?
(b) what sanctions are imposed for non-attendance?
3. If AA/NA participation is required, are there alternatives for persons who don’t wish to participate in AA/NA?
If so, what are these alternatives?
4. If there are no alternatives, have any legal challenges been made to the requirement of NA/AA attendance? If
so, what has been the outcome (please provide the case citation)?
RESPONSES
ALASKA
Hon. Keith B. Levy
District Court Judge
Juneau, Alaska
klevy@courts.state.ak.us