Substance use disorder recovery guided by the aloha spirit: An indigenous approach to treatment courts

Abstract

Treatment courts, such as drug courts and mental health courts, have played an important role in criminal justice reform. However, research has consistently shown that racial disparities exist in some treatment courts where White participants have better outcomes than other races. Previous qualitative research on racial disparities has been completed on the mainland (contiguous United States), and nearly all of it has been specific to African Americans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study (n = 98) to explore the drug court experience of Native Hawaiians and individuals from other races. Qualitative research methods were used to give participants and graduates a voice related to their experiences with two drug courts located in Hawai’i. Five themes emerged from the data, including: (1) Drug court creates an environment that promotes honesty; (2) Drug court staff are compassionate and viewed as ‘ohana; (3) Hawaiian culture is part of the recovery process; (4) Cultural treatments are personalized to participants individualized needs; and (5) The diversity of participants leads to solidarity and respect for all. Implications for all treatment courts are discussed, predominantly related to the importance of not responding to drug use in a punitive manner, creating an environment that promotes honesty, and how providing cultural programs may produce equal outcomes, such as equitable admission and graduation rates.