NCJ Number
156766
Journal
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (1992) Pages: 355-366
Date Published
1992
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The extent of prior drug use and psychosocial problems related to drug use was examined among 499 jail inmates referred to the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office Substance Abuse Treatment Program.
Abstract
Results revealed that inmates were involved with drugs for an average of more than 7 years and with cocaine for almost 5 years. The majority reported extremely heavy drug use in the month prior to the last arrest, including 83 percent who had used cocaine. Many drug-dependent inmates reported a shift over time from intranasal to freebase cocaine use. Half indicated a pattern of regular drug use within a year of drug involvement. They also had severe disruption in vocational, social, and psychological functioning. Findings indicated the need for lengthy, heavily structured, and intensive treatment approaches for drug-dependent jail inmates. Their history of infrequent and unsuccessful involvement in rehabilitation programs reflects a significant need for compulsory treatment following release form jail, community supervision to ensure treatment compliance, and the development of linkages between jail drug treatment programs, courts, and community treatment providers. Figures and 17 references (Author abstract modified)