NCJ Number
16229
Editor(s)
L R S SIMMONS,
M B GOLD
Date Published
1973
Length
334 pages
Annotation
FIFTEEN PAPERS DESCRIBE SOCIAL AND LEGAL OBSTACLES TO THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF NARCOTICS ADDICTS AND EXADDICTS AND THOSE FACTORS AND CONDITIONS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR HIGH RATES OF RECIDIVISM.
Abstract
THE PAPERS ARE GROUPED INTO THREE SECTIONS WHICH TOGETHER PRESENT THE CONCLUSION THAT THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF NARCOTICS REHABILITATION ARE AS MUCH CONCOMITANTS AS ARE THE CHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL REALITIES, AND THAT THE INTERPLAY OF ALL ASPECTS OF ADDICTION MUST BE DEALT WITH IF A CURE IS TO BE EFFECTED. THE FIRST SECTION OF PAPERS DESCRIBES THE KINDS OF CIVIL DISABILITIES FACED BY ADDICTS AND EX-ADDICTS, THINGS SUCH AS COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE, TREATMENT BY WELFARE AND REFERRAL AGENCIES, EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, AND THE PROBLEMS OF METHADONE MAINTENANCE THERAPY. SECTION TWO DEALS WITH THE RIGHT TO ADDICTION TREATMENT AND ADDRESSES QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE NECESSITY OF PROVIDING ADDICTS WITH HUMANE AND COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS, THE REFORM OF PRESENT CIVIL COMMITMENT PROCEDURES, AND THE BURDEN OF DRUG-RELATED CRIME ON THE CRIMINAL PROCESS (INCLUDING THE RATIONALE FOR PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAMS). PAPERS IN THE THIRD SECTION DISCUSS THE LIMITATIONS OF TREATMENT, INCLUDING SOCIETAL NORMS AS OBSTACLES TO TREATMENT, THE ROLE OF COERCION IN THERAPY, PROTECTION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ADDICTS IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS, AND LIMITATIONS OF TREATING ADDICTS IN CIVIL AND MILITARY ENVIRONMENTS. A LENGTHY BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THEORETICAL AND RESEARCH WORKS, LANDMARK LEGAL AND MEDICAL WORKS, AND PIECES OF SPECIAL RELEVANCE FROM THE SOCIAL SCIENCES IS PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)