Eric Cohen

In the following viewpoint, Eric Cohen maintains that drug courts—programs that emphasize therapy and close supervision for drug offenders—are a “feel-good” alternative to prison that have not yet proven themselves effective in reducing recidivism. Most courts have not been in existence long enough to provide accurate records of long-term success. In addition, Cohen asserts, the program totally ignores such concepts as morality and right versus wrong, concentrating instead on transforming the criminal justice system into a therapeutic justice system whose purpose is to focus on the individual needs of the offender. Cohen is the managing editor of the Public Interest.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, what are the judges, lawyers, and counselors involved in drug courts called?
2. What were the three major problems with the available...