This article presents the findings of the evaluation of the multi-site, Breaking the Cycle (BTC) demonstration project in Jacksonville, FL and Tacoma, WA.
The results add to existing research suggesting that the combination of case-managed treatment and graduated sanctions are important components of effective criminal justice intervention with drug-involved offenders. An evaluation of the Breaking the Cycle (BTC) demonstration project indicates that a motivated jurisdiction can implement drug intervention for a very large number of drug-involved offenders shortly after arrest. The BTC was successful in making drug screening and assessment a routine aspect of pretrial release, as well as referring offenders determined to be drug involved to treatment methods which match the severity of each offender’s drug use problem. The greatest strength of the evaluation of BTC demonstration projects is the fact that the funding agencies had the foresight to realize the importance of replication. An evaluation of the BTC demonstration project was constructed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a system-wide intervention designed to help offenders “break the cycle” of drugs and crime. BTC applied a combination of legal pressure and drug treatment. BTC identified and intervened with drug-involved felony defendants. The demonstration project was funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Office of Drug Control Policy and managed by the National Institute of Justice. References