NCJ Number
184537
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2000 Pages: 495-528
Date Published
August 2000
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This article presents the research evidence that supports drug treatment as an effective means to reduce illegal drug use, crime, and recidivism among offender populations.
Abstract
The article is divided into four sections. The first describes the findings of three large-scale investigations of the effects of drug treatment. The second reviews the literature on drug treatment effectiveness and availability. The third discusses the benefits of coerced treatment for criminal justice clients. The final section summarizes the principles of effective drug treatment. This final section notes the importance of using standardized assessment tools to conduct comprehensive drug evaluation that allows the matching of offenders' drug problems with treatment approaches. It also advises that effective treatment must be long-term and intensive, recognizing that most drug problems are chronic and relapsing and that most drug users need time to deal with denial and become motivated for treatment. Further, in its early stages, treatment should be highly structured and contain a strict urine-monitoring component. Integrity of drug treatment must be scrutinized and preserved at all treatment stages. Effective treatment involves the use of a network of services that treat other problems besides drug abuse. Other aspects of effective treatment are aftercare services, service coordination, and program evaluation. Although drug treatment has its limitations, much data show its crime-reducing benefits and cost-effectiveness relative to other antidrug measures. Drug treatment warrants a greater investment; unfortunately, the treatment infrastructure in the criminal justice system has eroded further over the past few years. 136 references