Drug Rehabilitation Clinics: Illegal Drug Activities Near Some District of Columbia Clinics Undermine Clinic Services and Patient Rehabilitation

• NCJ Number: 206838
• Author(s): Robert J. Cramer
• Date Published: June 2004
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: US Government Accountability Office; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Testimony before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives; downloaded September 9, 2004.

Annotation

This study examined drug trafficking observed at drug rehabilitation clinics and the effect on patient rehabilitation.

Abstract

From April 2003 through June 2004, criminal investigators from the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) conducted surveillance at and around five drug rehabilitation clinics in the District of Columbia. The OSI investigators who conducted these surveillances had many years of experience in investigation of criminal activity, including illegal street sales of narcotics. Most of these clinics are located in nonresidential areas surrounded by parking lots, vacant lots, warehouses, and some stores. On a daily basis, clinics in Washington, DC, treat thousands of patients for a variety of substance abuse problems. During more than 50 visits to the clinics, investigators observed illegal drug sale activities. Personnel at three of the clinics were also interviewed and confirmed that there was extensive illegal drug dealing activity in the vicinity of their clinics. To try to alleviate this situation, the clinics have changed their hours of operation so that more patients can enter and leave the clinic early in the day when drug users are less likely to be outside. Patients are not permitted to remain outside the clinic for more than 15 minutes. Each month, at least one patient will report of being assaulted and robbed of their methadone. Although these clinics are intended to help those in need of rehabilitation, patients who seek treatment must navigate their way to and from the clinics in an environment in which illegal sales of narcotics are daily occurrences. The efforts of patients seeking rehabilitation, and professionals who serve them, are significantly undermined by the criminal activity that surrounds them.