NCJ Number
74533
Date Published
1979
Length
142 pages
Annotation
The performance of the Tampa Alcohol Safety Action Project (ASAP) rehabilitation subsystem (Florida) was studied and a detailed description of Tampa's judicial/rehabilitation system structure was provided.
Abstract
Description of procedures related to the short-term rehabilitation (STR) program, and descriptions of the treatment modalities used by ASAP were presented. Normal referral to a treatment modality was interrrupted in 1975 and 1976 when a research design randomly assigning clients to treatment and control conditions was put into effect. Social drinkers were assigned to either Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) school or a minimum exposure reading only 'control' group. Problem drinkers were assigned to group therapy plus school, school only, or reading only treatment on an equal probability basis. Extensive profile comparisons on a number of variables failed to show any substantial assignment biases. Social drinkers assigned to DWI School had a significantly lower recidivism rate at 12 months (6.3 percent) and 18 months (7.9 percent) after referral than social drinkers assigned to the reading only program (8.5 percent at 12 months and 12.1 percent at 18 months). The analysis of problem drinker referrals revealed no significant differences in recidivism among the therapy plus school, and reading only groups. There was evidence that group therapy plus school treatment may be effective in reducing DWI recidivism if clients complete treatment. STR clients consisted of a problem drinker subset of the entire research group who completed Life Activities Inventories. Analysis of treatment on five life activities dimensions revealed no effects on employment/economic stability, current physical health problems, or social interaction. The group therapy plus school and school only clients showed marked improvement on the dimension of quantity/frequency of drinking while the reading only group did not. All three groups evidenced improvement on the dimension of current drinking problems following treatment. Flow charts, graphs, and data tables are included. Appendixes provide sample ASAP report to the court forms, a discussion of jury trial and appeal procedures, sample ASAP court order forms, sample STR client followup reminder letters, and a table summarizing expenses for providing treatment services to ASAP clients. (Author abstract modified)