NCJ Number
87806
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling Services and Rehabilitation Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (Summer 1982) Pages: 59-70
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The impact of coercion in rehabilitation of drug abusers was examined in study of a population of drug abusers in treatment programs in South Jersey.
Abstract
The experimental group consisted of patients in treatment through the TASC program, while the control group were patients who had voluntarily committed themselves to treatment. A validated interview schedule was utilized for both coerced and non-coerced groups. Data analysis utilized analysis of contingency tables involving X-squared tests of significance and Pearsons Correlation Coefficients, as well as one-way and two-way analysis of variance. This study found that coercion facilitates success for certain population groups (e.g., older, longer term heroin addicts), only by certain criteria (e.g., arrest and abstinence) for certain treatment settings (e.g., drug-free vs. methadone maintenance programs). Confirmation of the maturing out process with regard to treatment of heroin addicts was also noted. Based on study findings, and literature review, a number of policy related recommendations are made. (Author abstract)