The Multnomah County Drug Court was formally known as the S.T.O.P. (Sanctions, Treatment, Opportunity, Progress) program. It began operation on August 1, 1991 in an effort to cope with growing felony drug caseloads, concerns about high recidivism and relapse rates among drug-involved offenders and the typical programmatic and logistic difficulties of integrating substance abuse treatment into the criminal justice process. The program begins with an initial assessment and orientation. It then provides stabilization for clients who require it because of difficulties with housing, mental or physical health or other serious problems. The next phase includes self assessment, defense mechanisms, thinking errors and ways to get the most out of treatment. The program then offers addiction and recovery training and life skills training and monitoring. Tables, figures, notes, references