NCJ Number
146287
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 73 Issue: 3 and 4 Dated: special issue (September/December 1993) Pages: 343-354
Date Published
1993
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A drug testing program in Jefferson County, Kentucky, has become a significant part of community probation and parole supervision because it has resulted in a continuous decline in the number of positive cases.
Abstract
The purpose of the drug testing program is to enhance public safety by identifying and referring drug abusers to treatment. Probation and parole officers identify probable abusers on their caseload for drug testing. If found positive for drugs, clients undergo assessment and are referred to such treatment options as education, inpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment. During the 1991-1992 program year, clients were most often placed in the Kentucky Substance Abuse Program (KSAP), an outpatient treatment program. Following placement, clients were subjected to random retesting. Offenders were permitted no more than three positive test results for drug abuse. After the third positive drug test, formal revocation proceedings were initiated by the probation or parole officer. During the fourth year of the drug testing program, 2,991 drug tests indicated that marijuana and cocaine were consistently the drug of choice. All offenders identified as probable drug abusers and tested had a 35 percent positive rate on the first drug test and a reincarceration rate of about 10 percent. Offenders tested but not referred to treatment had a 24 percent positive rate and a 9.6 percent reincarceration rate. Among offenders who were tested and referred to treatment, 88 percent tested positive for drugs and approximately 13 percent were reincarcerated. Lower recidivism rates were recorded for drug offenders who completed the KSAP. Overall, findings demonstrated that drug testing combined with treatment enhances the effectiveness of community supervision and public safety. 15 notes, 2 references, 1 table, and 4 figures