NCJ Number
230017
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 52-73
Date Published
January 2010
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article examines the use of a sweat patch to monitor drug court participants.
Abstract
Drug courts are reinventing the drug testing framework by experimenting with new methods, including use of the sweat patch. The sweat patch is a band-aid like strip used to monitor drug court participants. The validity and reliability of the sweat patch as an effective testing method was examined, as well as the effectiveness, meaning how likely the sweat patch would deter drug use. Surveys were administered to drug court staff members following an experimental period during which the use of the sweat patch was varied in five drug court sites. The results show that the attitudes of staff toward the sweat patch are generally favorable. Although this case study presents the sweat patch in a favorable manner, there are still many changes to further enhance the effectiveness of this drug testing method. 2 tables, 40 references, and 2 appendixes (Published Abstract)