NCJ Number
174612
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 60 Issue: 6 Dated: October 1998 Pages: 102-105
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Research has established that cognitive-behavioral techniques represent a key component of drug abuse treatment in correctional settings, and the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) provides various treatment and program services that target crimogenic factors and that are based on social learning concepts.
Abstract
The CSC recognizes interventions that teach drug-abusing offenders skills to successfully modify their behavior stand the best chance of reducing future drug abuse. The CSC's systemwide treatment model has evolved in response to the needs of many offenders in the correctional system for whom alcohol and drugs are directly related to their criminal behavior. Drug abuse programs developed and implemented by the CSC are founded on principles of harm reduction. The key focus of the harm reduction model is to decrease negative social and individual consequences of alcohol and other drug use. The primary target of drug abuse treatment is the offender's drug abuse problem. Cognitive techniques are used to teach individuals that the way they think and feel directly affects their behavior, particularly their drug abuse behavior. Structured relapse prevention is designed to teach individuals how to identify high-risk situations, develop skills to deal with these situations, and enhance expectations that using the newly acquired skills will result in positive outcomes. Skills training is heavily based on behavioral principles and techniques. Preliminary CSC research supports the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral approach to drug abuse treatment. 27 references