NCJ Number
49850
Journal
International Journal of Addictions Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1971) Pages: 543-551
Date Published
1971
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS COMPULSORY TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR NARCOTICS ADDICTS IS EXAMINED IN TERMS OF COMMITMENT PROCEDURES, QUALITY OF STAFF, EFFECTIVENESS IN REDUCING NARCOTICS USE, AND COST-BENEFIT.
Abstract
IN 1964, THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE ESTABLISHED THE CALIFORNIA REHABILITATION CENTER (CRC) AS A CIVIL COMMITMENT COMPULSORY TREATMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO REMOVE ADDICTS FROM THE STREETS, TO REHABILITATE THEM IN A DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT, TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF ADDICTION, AND TO REDUCE CRIME. THE CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THIS PROGRAM REPORTED IN THIS PRESENTATION SEES A JUDICIAL PERVERSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT OF THE PROGRAM. UNDER THE LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING THE CRC IT WAS INTENDED THAT ONLY MISDEMEANANTS WOULD BE COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAM, THUS CREATING PROBLEMS THAT CRC IS ILL-EQUIPPED TO HANDLE. THE TREATMENT CONCEPT IS OFTEN NEGATED BY A LACK OF BEDSPACE AT THE CENTER; AND IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE NEW COMMITMENTS FROM COURT AND RETURNING PAROLE VIOLATORS, THERE IS USUALLY PRESSURE ON THE STAFF TO RELEASE PARTICIPANTS EARLIER THAN GOOD TREATMENT JUDGMENT WOULD DICTATE. FURTHER, BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF AN ACCURATE PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING NARCOTICS ADDICTION, MANY NONADDICTS GAIN COMMITMENT TO CRC IN ORDER TO AVOID PRISON TERMS. PROBLEMS OF STAFF BEHAVIOR ARE NOTED, AND THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH TESTING CLIENTS FOR NARCOTICS USE ARE INDICATED. ALSO, IN MANY CASES PAROLEES FROM CRC ARE RETURNED TO THE PROGRAM AS PAROLE VIOLATORS FOR COMMITTING NEW FELONIES, WITHOUT RECEIVING NEW COURT COMMITMENTS. SINCE THERE IS NO MINIMUM TIME REQUIRED AT CRC FOR PAROLE VIOLATORS TO BE RETAINED AS INPATIENTS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT VIOLATORS MAY BE REPAROLED SHORTLY AFTER THEIR RETURN TO CRC. OVERALL, THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM RENDER IT INEFFECTIVE IN TREATING ADDICTS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: LEGISLATIVE CHANGE TO PREVENT NONADDICTS AND OTHER UNSUITABLE PERSONS FROM BEING COMMITTED TO CRC; THE USE OF A BOARD CONSISTING OF ONE OR MORE LAY PERSONS, A PHYSICIAN, A NARCOTICS OFFICER AND A PROBATION OFFICER OR DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE COMMITTED TO CRC; AND BETTER METHODS FOR STAFF SELECTION. AS IT NOW STANDS, CRC IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE COST-BENEFICIAL. (RCB)