ADDICTS' RIGHTS AND ADVOCACY INITIATIVES (FROM ADDICTS AND AFTERCARE - COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF THE FORMER DRUG USER, 1979, BY BARRY S BROWN - SEE NCJ-61537)

• NCJ Number: 62542
• Author(s): D HASTINGS-BLACK
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

SOME OF THE EXISTING MECHANISMS FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF ADDICTS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF APPROPRIATE TREATMENT SERVICES ARE REVIEWED.

Abstract

DRUG ABUSERS HAVE RIGHTS RELATED TO THE CARE AND SERVICES RECEIVED FROM CLINICS AND THE TREATMENT THEY RECEIVE IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE INCLUDE RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS AND CERTAIN STANDARDS OF CARE AND ACCESS TO SERVICES, BENEFITS, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT. MANY DRUG TREATMENT CLIENTS AND STAFF ARE NOT AWARE OF THESE RIGHTS, AND, CONSEQUENTLY, IMPROVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT AND REINTEGRATION OF DRUG ABUSERS IS SLOWER AND LESS EFFECTIVE THAN IT MIGHT BE IF THE RIGHTS WERE IMPLEMENTED. THOUGH NO RIGHTS 'MOVEMENT' FOR DRUG ABUSERS IS UNDERWAY, RIGHTS ISSUES ARE BEING ADDRESSED THROUGH REGULATIONS, PROGRAM PROCEDURES, LEGAL AND ADVOCACY SERVICES, AND CLIENTS' RIGHTS GROUPS. BOTH THE FEDERAL FUNDING CRITERIA, WHICH ESTABLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CARE FOR FEDERALLY-FUNDED TREATMENT PROGRAMS, AND THE STANDARDS FOR DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, WHICH ESTABLISH THE OPTIMAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO ATTAIN ACCREDITATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION ON THE ACCREDITATION OF HOSPITALS, REQUIRE PROCEDURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CLIENTS' RIGHTS AND ESTABLISH THE TREATMENT PROGRAMS' OBLIGATION TO SECURE COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THEIR CLIENTS. FURTHER, CERTAIN PRACTICES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED BY SOME PROGRAMS WHICH INVOLVE CLIENTS IN CLINIC POLICYMAKING AND THE SETTING OF PROCEDURES FOR INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION. SERVICES RELATED TO THE ABILITY OF CLIENTS TO IMPLEMENT THEIR RIGHTS IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDE THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE OF VARIOUS PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRMS. VARIOUS ADDICTS' RIGHTS GROUPS, MANY COMPOSED OF CLIENTS AND EX-ADDICTS, HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN IMPLEMENTING RIGHTS IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES AND STATES. SINCE THE DRUG ABUSER IS A CONSUMER OF A NUMBER OF SERVICES FROM A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES, A BROAD CONSUMER RIGHTS APPROACH IS NEEDED THAT INVOLVES A COORDINATED STRATEGY WITH PARTICIPATION FROM ADDICTS RIGHTS GROUPS, DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS, CONCERNED CITIZENS, THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, THE STATES, AND THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)