NCJ Number
161590
Date Published
Unknown
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This is an overview of the status of drug treatment and of the recommendations derived from a technical review meeting of experts in drug treatment.
Abstract
The overview focuses on the current status of drug abuse treatment, clinical issues, and treatment program and policy issues. Regarding the status of drug abuse treatment, the authors briefly discuss issues related to improving drug abuse treatment, staffing drug treatment programs, methadone maintenance and drug- free outpatient treatment programs, the availability of drug treatment, and the effectiveness of drug treatment in reducing drug abuse and related behaviors. The review of clinical issues considers enhanced diagnostic and clinical skills necessary to treat complex client issues, research on counseling and psychotherapy in drug treatment, and practical issues in decreasing relapse. The summary of recommendations that emerged from the technical review meeting are grouped under the following topics: funding for drug abuse treatment, evaluating drug abuse treatment, clinical aspects of drug abuse treatment, methadone maintenance treatment, linking drug abuse treatment with other community institutions, minority involvement in drug abuse treatment, community barriers to drug abuse treatment, transferring proven drug abuse treatment technologies, research focused on improving drug abuse treatment, and training. 12 references