NCJ Number
177390
Journal
National Drug Court Institute Review Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: Summer 1999 Pages: 33-60
Date Published
1999
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Predictors of retention and arrest among drug court participants were examined, using data from 95 persons admitted to the Escambia County (Fla.) Adult Drug Court Program between June 1993 and June 1996.
Abstract
The Escambia program provided a comprehensive range of services that were delivered in three phases of treatment over a period of approximately 1 year. The research focused on the characteristics of drug court graduates and non-graduates and sought to determine whether characteristics of participants could be used to predict program retention or arrest during a 30-month follow-up. Results revealed that individuals who were employed at least part-time and who lived with their parents were more likely than others to complete the drug court program. Successful graduates also had fewer prior arrests than non-graduates and were more likely to use alcohol or marijuana as their primary drug of choice. Findings suggested that early identification of factors that put a person at risk for dropping out of a program may be helpful to planners and practitioners as they develop treatment and supervision plans. It may also signal a need to involve high-risk participants in specialized services that may enable them to benefit from the drug court experience. Further research is needed on these issues. Tables and 31 references