NCJ Number
58022
Date Published
Unknown
Length
6 pages
Annotation
IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF A COMPULSORY DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR OFFENDERS IN HONG KONG ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
DRUG ABUSE FREQUENTLY LEADS TO LAWBREAKING, AND IT IS AT THIS POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT A COMPULSORY DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM IS MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED, PARTICULARLY WHERE THE ALTERNATIVE TO TREATMENT IN PRISON. THIS COURSE OF ACTION SHOULD ALWAYS BE TAKEN WHEN IT IS ESTABLISHED THAT THE OFFENDER'S APPEARANCE IN COURT IS DUE TO DRUG ABUSE. ANY COMPULSORY APPROACH MUST HAVE THE TWO BASIC INGREDIENTS OF INCENTIVE AND DETERRENT; BOTH WILL HELP TO ESTABLISH BROAD GUIDELINES WITHIN WHICH THE CLIENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF TREATMENT, CAN PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. THE FOLLOWING ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIALS IN A COMPULSORY DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM: (1) NECESSARY LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR COMPULSORY TREATMENT; (2) A DEDICATED STAFF WHICH BELIEVES IN THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF TREATMENT; (3) INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT; (4) A DISCIPLINED STRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY IN THE BEGINNING, BUT RELAXING PROGRESSIVELY UNTIL MUTUAL RESPECT BETWEEN STAFF AND CLIENT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED: (5) AN ENVIRONMENT WITH NO HOSPITAL OR PRISON OVERTONES; (6) A WORK PROGRAM GEARED TO DEVELOP INTEREST IN WORK AND GOOD WORK HABITS; (7) A LEAVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PERIODS OF ABSENCE FROM THE CENTER FOR SEVERAL DAYS AT A TIME; (8) MINIMUM RESTRICTIONS ON FAMILY CONTACT; (9) INVOLVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTEERS AT ALL LEVELS OF TREATMENT; (10) AN AFTERCARE PROGRAM WHICH REQUIRES EMPLOYMENT ON DISCHARGE AND AN EFFICIENT TIE WITH VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS WITH FACILITIES TO ASSIST CLIENTS AFTER DISCHARGE; (11) A HALFWAY HOUSE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CLIENTS WITHOUT RELATIVES OR A PLACE TO GO UPON DISCHARGE; AND (12) A PROGRAM OF RESEARCH TO EVALUATE TREATMENT AND FOLLOWUP, COUPLED WITH AN ABILITY ON THE PART OF THE STAFF TO BE SELF-CRITICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL. (AUTHOR ABATRACT MODIFIED--RCB)