NCJ Number
148009
Journal
Judges' Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1994) Pages: 10-13,38-40
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The authors maintain that judges should use options including civil commitment and court-ordered diversion to compel drug-abusing offenders to enter treatment programs.
Abstract
Results from research studies both of the California Civil Addict Program and other criminal justice system-based drug treatment programs and community-based methadone maintenance and therapeutic programs indicate that those programs mandated by the criminal justice system offer the best and most cost-effective approaches to breaking the cycle of drug abuse, criminality, incarceration, and recidivism. Civil commitment mandates the enrollment of drug abusers who have committed crimes in a drug treatment regimen that includes residential treatment followed by community aftercare. Adherence to the program is monitored by frequent urinalysis. Research shows that these types of programs are effective; the most successful are those where funding is adequate, personnel are well trained and emotionally involved in their efforts, and treatment protocols are well planned and implemented.