NCJ Number
54032
Journal
International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 249-256
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM WHICH ADMINISTERED INSTITUTION AND PAROLE SERVICES TOGETHER WAS EVALUATED BY COMPARING 397 NARCOTIC ADDICTS PROCESSED BY THE PROGRAM WITH 361 TRADITIONALLY PROCESSED ADDICTS IN CALIFORNIA.
Abstract
THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM WAS STARTED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CALIFORNIA REHABILITATION CENTER, AN INSTITUTION HAVING CAPACITY FOR 2,000 DRUG ADDICTS. A PHYSICALLY SEPARATED 400-BED FACILITY SERVICED A SMALL COMMUNITY PAROLE AREA OF ABOUT 25 MILES SURROUNDING THE CENTER. BOTH THE INSTITUTIONAL AND PAROLE FACETS OF THE DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAM WERE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF ONE PAROLE ADMINISTRATOR TO MAXIMIZE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TREATMENT CENTER, THE PAROLE OFFICERS, AND THE COMMUNITY. OTHERWISE, THE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES WERE ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL TO THOSE OFFERED BY THE REHABILITATION CENTER WITH TRADITIONAL PAROLE FOLLOWUP. A STUDY CONDUCTED WHILE THE PROGRAM WAS IN PROCESS FOUND THAT THE STAFF MADE GREATER USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAN DID THEIR TRADITIONAL COUNTERPARTS AND THAT THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM ISSUED ABOUT EIGHT TIMES MORE UNESCORTED, TEMPORARY PASSES FOR ITS ADDICTS TO VISIT THEIR HOME COMMUNITIES BEFORE FINAL RELEASE TO PAROLE SUPERVISION. AT 1 YEAR AFTER RELEASE, 43 PERCENT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ADDICTS AND 40 PERCENT OF THE CONTROLS WERE FUNCTIONING SATISFACTORILY IN THE COMMUNITY. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES WERE NOTED, EITHER BY ETHNIC GROUP OR GEOGRAPHICAL AREA. AMONG NEW COMMITMENTS, 44 PERCENT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP AND 50 PERCENT OF THE CONTROLS WERE SUCCESSFUL. AMONG THOSE WITH PRIOR COMMITMENT, 42 PERCENT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP AND 34 PERCENT OF THE CONTROLS WERE SUCCESSFUL. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE OPTIMISM OF THE NEW PROGRAM COUNTERACTED THE NEGATIVE SELF-IMAGE OF THE REPEAT ADDICT. GREATER COORDINATION OF SERVICES MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR. TABLES PRESENT STUDY DATA. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (GLR)