African American Participants’ Views on Racial Disparities in Drug Court Outcomes

This qualitative study with 14 African American participants of a Texas drug court explored the factors that might contribute to racial disparities in drug court outcomes. The findings suggest that the factors that might contribute to racial disparities in outcomes include African American participants’ (a) beliefs that drug court sanctions were not implemented in a culturally sensitive manner; (b) dissatisfaction with being mandated to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings; (c) perceptions that they were not offered enough resources to gain and maintain employment; (d) views that they were not receiving individualized treatment; and (e) beliefs that they can relate better to other African American clients and staff members. Implications for policy advocacy, future research, and social work practice are discussed.