NCJ Number
202025
Date Published
2003
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This report describes the Differential Substance Abuse Treatment (DSAT) Model for use with Maine’s offender population.
Abstract
The DSAT Model offers different levels of treatment intensity based on an offenders’ risk and need level. Furthermore, a different type of DSAT model is offered for men and for women because of the growing recognition of different needs and risks based on gender. The implementation of the program is based on an assessment of the severity of drug involvement, coupled with the risk for re-offending. Programming levels are broken down into five levels, with each level based on drug involvement severity and recidivism risk. The DSAT Model was based on research that revealed a direct relationship between the severity of drug dependency and severity of criminal behavior. The DSAT curriculum focuses on group therapy sessions in which participants are taught effective problem-solving and decisionmaking skills. A flow chart of the DSAT Model is presented, which shows offenders being classified into levels 1 through 5 of the program based on a computerized screening assessment they complete upon entry into Maine’s correctional system. There is also a community-based DSAT program available to offenders upon their release. Finally, the report offers a training overview to show how the DSAT Model operates on a day-to-day basis.