Identifying Drug-abusing Criminals (From Compulsory Treatment of Drug Abuse: Research and Clinical Practice, P 139-159, 1988, Carl G Leukefeld and Frank M Tims, eds. -- See NCJ-115939)

• NCJ Number: 115943
• Author(s): E D Wish
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This discussion of issues related to the identification of drug abusing offenders focuses on the reasons why this identification may be an important role for the criminal justice system, a comparison of the available methods for screening large numbers of offenders for recent drug use, and the implications for establishing compulsory treatment programs within the criminal justice system.

Abstract

The main reasons for identifying drug-abusing offenders are to identify active criminals, to identify persons in need of drug abuse treatment and other health care, and to monitor trends in community drug use. Identification methods include self-reports, review of criminal justice records, urinalysis tests, and hair analysis. Urine testing is the most feasible and accurate method currently available for screening large numbers of offenders in criminal justice settings. However, tests indicate only probable use and must be followed by confirmation of the amount of drug involvement, based on repeated testing, confrontation and interview, and information from records or reports of others. Additional research on matching clients to effective interventions will be needed to make compulsory treatment a viable option for the criminal justice system. Tables, figure, and 42 references.