Approach for Casual Drug Users

• NCJ Number: 77964
• Editor(s): E S Bloom
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 35 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: National Institute on Drug Abuse Technical Paper.

Annotation

This monograph examines four examples of educational programs which are being offered as alternatives to drug treatment centers for recreational users of low-risk drugs.

Abstract

The monograph was prompted by awareness that casual marijuana users are often inappropriately referred to drug treatment centers by the courts. An alternative educational model for casual users has been endorsed as being less costly, less specialized, and more appropriate for these users. The four programs adopting this model are the Minnesota Alternative to Treatment Program for Casual Marijuana Users, the Court School for Drug and Alcohol Related Offenses in Montana, the Fort Jackson Marijuana Educational Program at an army installation in South Carolina, and the California Drug Offender Diversion Program. Clients referred to the four programs have all reportedly violated the law and have been initially identified and processed by the criminal justice system. All programs receive notifications from and referrals by the criminal justice system. In addition, the programs all direct their services toward first offenders to intervene at an early stage before the dysfunctional drug use pattern has progressed to a more advanced and resistant stage. The programs' educational format is divided between didactic presentations and group discussions. The courses provide information on the legal, social, psychological, and physiological ramifications of drug use and abuse. They also focus on the theme of rational and more responsible decisionmaking, especially in regard to the rational use of intoxicants. Some include alcohol abuse, while others focus solely on drugs other than alcohol. The programs all provide an alternative to either incarceration or treatment, or both. Adaptation of these or similar programs to a community's specific needs is recommended. Individual program descriptions, footnotes, and excerpts from relevant State laws are provided. (Author abstract modified)