Breaking the Habit: Assessing the Need for a Family Drug Treatment Court in South Africa to Reunify Families, with Reference to the Experience in the USA, UK and Australia

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This article examines the viability of establishing Family Drug Treatment Courts (FDTCs) in South Africa as a targeted intervention to address the intersection of parental substance use disorder (SUD) and child neglect within the foster care system. Drawing on comparative practices from the United States of America, United Kingdom and Australia, the article discusses the therapeutic jurisprudence which underpins FDTCs and their potential to promote family reunification and permanency planning in a resource-constrained welfare system. It highlights systemic challenges in South Africa, including under-resourced Children's Courts, limited access to SUD treatment, and the inconsistent implementation of reunification services. The analysis highlights the compatibility of FDTCs with South Africa's constitutional and legislative commitment to the best interests of the child, while acknowledging the need for a context-sensitive adaptation of the model. The authors argue for the repurposing of existing Children's Courts to incorporate FDTCs, offering a multidisciplinary, non-adversarial approach that prioritises rehabilitation and family preservation over punitive measures.

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