NCJ Number
109767
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 49 Issue: 7 Dated: (December 1987) Pages: 22,24,26,110
Date Published
1987
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Prerelease and Day Reporting Center of Hampden County, Mass., has developed a simple assessment model that parole or probation officers use to identify substance abusers, who receive a variety of treatment programming.
Abstract
The use of the model rests on the view that substance abusers should not return to the community without efforts to deal with their alcohol or drug problems, because active users pose a threat to public safety. Eight-seven percent of the residents in the prerelease center have significant substance abuse problems; the majority committed their crimes while under the influence of a substance. These statistics would probably hold true for any probation caseload. The assessment process consists of an interview which initially focuses on factual data about the names of substances used, dates of first use and most recent use, usual amount and frequency of use, route of administration, and number of overdoses or blackouts. The second step is to focus on questions of self-perception, including problems caused by substance use and past involvement in treatment programs. Information on substance use in family members and spouses is also gathered, as is a job history, starting with factual questions and proceeding to judgmental questions. Programming for substance abusers includes individual counseling, group counseling, education, couples or family counseling, and participation in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Urine testing is included and is effective as a deterrent in this criminal population. Using the assessment model has helped produce a recidivism rate of only 15 percent.