NCJ Number
160964
Date Published
1992
Length
300 pages
Annotation
Fifteen local drug treatment programs funded by the Florida Department of Community Affairs through grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance were evaluated with respect to their program design and management, effectiveness in reaching the target population and geographical service area, service delivery, and outcomes in terms of treatment compliance and client behaviors.
Abstract
Results revealed that the projects were modeled after other well-established programs and were generally sound, although few were particularly innovative. Management problems included isolated cases of untrained and unqualified personnel, high staff turnover, and failure to include important agencies in service planning. However, first-line managers and project were generally well trained and highly competent. High-level administration provided mostly consistent and competent oversight. The projects closely adhered to their priority target groups. Program staff and community members estimated that approximately half the clients benefited from treatment and that this level of success represented acceptable program performance. Analysis of a random sample of 753 offenders who had been out of treatment at least 6 months revealed a rearrest rate of 23 percent for treatment completers and 41 percent for noncompleters. Findings underscored the need for carefully controlled, long-range evaluation methodologies that cover at least 5 years. Figures and descriptions, findings, and recommendations regarding each program