A research-practice partnership for enhancing drug court effectiveness.

Research and practice partnerships that focus on substance use and criminal justice are necessary to address the needs and concerns of substance users, their families, and the community. Such partnerships are complex and therefore create challenges in implementing research that is simultaneously relevant and rigorous. This article describes a developing research-practice community-based partnership that guides several related research studies. Lessons learned, implications for nursing, and practical recommendations for others in forming such partnerships are offered.