NCJ Number
128711
Date Published
1991
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This outcome evaluation assesses the effectiveness of the Chemical Dependency Treatment Program at Gainesville State School (Texas) to inhibit drug use after release and to reduce recidivism.
Abstract
The program, which began on April 1, 1988, is based on the philosophy that chemical dependency is a psychosocial, biogenetic disease that is chronic, progressive, familial, subject to relapse, and fatal if untreated. The program consists of three phases in which the degree of restriction on youth is gradually decreased. Program components include a combination of group and individual therapies, education programs, and recreational therapy. Clients receive 10 weeks of structured services aimed at preventing relapse after re-entry into the community. The evaluation design compared youth who completed the program with youth in three other programs. Outcome measures included urinalysis tests and criminal behaviors after program completion. For the analyses, the following factors were controlled: race, sex, age, commitment region, previous level of both alcohol and inhalant abuse, and scores from the admission criteria checklist. The evaluation found no significant effect of drug treatment on either drug use or criminal behavior for sample youth. Criminal behavior decreased among program participants for only a short period after release. By 6 months, treatment effects disappeared or were reversed. Recommendations for drug treatment programs and evaluation research are offered. 10 tables, an admission criteria checklist, and 12 references