NCJ Number
126749
Date Published
1989
Length
39 pages
Annotation
In 1987, the Santa Clara County (California) Justice System Advisory Board was asked to oversee the development of a Needs Assessment for the County's detention system.
Abstract
Analysis of available data revealed not only that the majority of inmates were drug dependent, but also that epidemic drug use in the community significantly increased rates of arrest and incarceration. Recommendations include the increased emphasis on early intervention and education of children in all schools; the strengthening of the established system of treatment for drug abusers by enlisting judicial, law enforcement, and treatment community support; and the encouragement of formal resource and information sharing among County justice system agencies and personnel. Also, the Board recommended to continue overall efforts to support the courts in dealing with the large number of drug offenders in the system; to bring together leaders in private industry to work with law enforcement to focus on intervention and interdiction in the workplace; and to establish public/private partnership to engage and coordinate community support in programs aimed at counteracting drug use and supporting the goals of treatment and recovery. 13 references