Uncope: A Screen for Substance Dependence Among State Prison Inmates

• NCJ Number: 209062
• Journal: Prison Journal Volume: 85 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2005 Pages: 7-17
• Author(s): Todd C. Campbell; Norman G. Hoffmann; Tyson D. Hoffmann; J. Arthur Gillaspy
• Date Published: March 2005
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study presents results of an evaluation of the UNCOPE, a six-item substance abuse screening on State prison inmates.

Abstract

The prevalence of both alcohol and drug dependence are sufficiently high in correctional populations which justifies the critical need for efficient and accurate screening for both types of substances. UNCOPE, a brief six-item screen has been identified in research as being useful in detecting either alcohol or drug dependence in both clinical and correctional populations. This study evaluated UNCOPE for accuracy in a sample of 2,097 Minnesota State prison inmates who were evaluated for substance abuse or dependence during the fourth quarter of 2000 and the first half of 2001. The results indicate that UNCOPE affords a relatively accurate screen for any substance dependence in inmate populations. Due to the sensitivity and specificity analyses, the screen is identified as applicable for gender and ethnic subgroups. Study limitations are presented and discussed. References