NCJ Number
195683
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 11-43
Date Published
2001
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the results of a pilot drug court program called the Kentucky Drug Court Strengthening Families Pilot Program that targets children of drug offenders for preventative treatment.
Abstract
The authors note that the family is a major risk factor for adolescent drug abuse. Drug use by a family member significantly increases the chances that other family members will also abuse drugs. The literature in this field also sites other risk factors for adolescent drug abuse, including family conflict, family composition, communication and discipline patters, parent/child relations, family stress, and family criminal justice system involvement. As such, the authors point out that the children of drug court clients face a double risk; not only are their parents drug users, they are also involved with the criminal justice system. Thus, there is a need to target children of drug court clients for substance abuse prevention. This paper provides an overview of the results of a program needs assessment, process evaluation, and outcome evaluation of the Kentucky Drug Court Strengthening Families Pilot Program (SFP). Face-to-face interviews with drug court judges at two sites were conducted, as well as with the SFP coordinator and the drug court program treatment coordinator. In addition, 9 parents and 10 children who had completed with SFP were surveyed about their perceptions of the program. Interviews focused on the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the program, as well as its’ curriculum, topics, activities, program length, and their impressions about the program's effectiveness. Results indicate that the SFP has been effective in improving parent-child relationships and reducing family risk factors, behavioral and psychological risk factors, and also in reducing the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse for these children. Additionally, the program helped improve the parenting skills of its participants and reduced depression among parents. A five-year follow-up study revealed that the parents who participated in SFP reported a dramatic difference in their children’s behavior and in their relationships with their children. The authors conclude by noting that this study shows that targeting children of drug abusers is a necessary and worthwhile effort. The pilot study showed how to strengthen the program by improving family recruitment efforts and by using staff that is independent from the drug court program. Tables, references