FOLLOW-UP SURVEYS - TECHNIQUES AND EXPERIENCE (FROM CRITICAL CONCERNS IN THE FIELD OF DRUG ABUSE PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD NATIONAL DRUG ABUSE CONFERENCE, INC, 1978)

• NCJ Number: 54344
• Author(s): L J ANDERSON; C K FORREST; M SPIER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Marcel Dekker, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: CONFERENCE HELD IN NEW YORK (NY), 1976

Annotation

METHODS OF COLLECTING FOLLOWUP DATA ON EX-CLIENTS OF DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED, WITH EMPHASIS UPON MAINTAINING THE CLIENT'S RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY.

Abstract

THE METHODS OF COLLECTING FOLLOWUP DATA WHICH ARE DESCRIBED PRESUME THAT THE EVALUATION DESIGN REQUIRES A A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH FORMER CLIENTS. THE METHODS DESCRIBED ARE DRAWN FROM TWO FOLLOWUP STUDIES OF TREATED DRUG ABUSERS. IN THE INTEREST OF MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY, IT IS ADVISED THAT THE NATURE OF THE STUDY SHOULD NOT BE REVEALED TO ANYONE BUT RESPONDENTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT AT ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM CLIENTS BE INFORMED OF THE IMPORTANCE AND NATURE OF THE FOLLOWUP EVALUATION TO BE CONDUCTED, WHILE ASSURING THEM THAT CONFIDENTIALITY WILL BE MAINTAINED. AT THAT TIME, ACCURATE NAMES, ADDRESSES, AND PHONE NUMBERS OF PERSONS WHO KNOW THE CLIENTS SHOULD BE OBTAINED. THIS INFORMATION PROVIDES THE BEST STARTING POINT WHEN UNDERTAKING CONTACT FOR A FOLLOWUP INTERVIEW. IN WRITING CONTACT LETTERS, THE PURPOSE OF THE REQUESTED INTERVIEW SHOULD REMAIN OBSCURE TO ANYONE OTHER THAN RESPONDENTS WHO MIGHT READ THE LETTER. IT IS DESCRIBED AS A HEALTH SURVEY. THE RETURN ADDRESS IS ALSO NONREVEALING. CHECKING FOR THE RESPONDENTS' NAME IN THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY, VISITING THE CLIENTS' LAST KNOWN NEIGHBORHOOD, CONTACTING SOCIAL AGENCIES WITH WHOM THEY MAY HAVE HAD DEALINGS, CHECKING WITH PROBATION DEPARTMENTS, AND EXAMINING THE RECORDS OF THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES ARE SUGGESTED AS WAYS FOR OBTAINING THE CURRENT ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF FORMER CLIENTS. DURING ALL INQUIRIES, THE NATURE OF THE SURVEY SHOULD NOT BE REVEALED IN THE INTEREST OF CONFIDENTIALITY. SHOULD CONFIDENTIALITY BE VIOLATED AT ANY POINT OF THE PROCESS OF LOCATING RESPONDENTS, FUTURE EFFORTS AT OBTAINING INTERVIEWS MAY BECOME MORE DIFFICULT AS WORD SPREADS AMONG EX-CLIENTS THAT PROMISES OF CONFIDENTIALITY ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED. GIVEN ADEQUATE FUNDING, IT IS EXPECTED THAT USING THE METHODS DESCRIBED, A RESEARCHER CAN LOCATE AT LEAST 80 PERCENT OF A SAMPLE. (RCB)