NCJ Number
142784
Date Published
February 1993
Length
81 pages
Annotation
To analyze drug use behavior and self-disclosure validity in a group of high-risk probationers, a sample of participants in the St. Clair (Illinois) Intensive Drug Abuser Program provided urine samples, all of which were tested for drugs. The same procedure was followed for members of a control group. The IDAP emphasizes close supervision, frequent drug testing, and a drug-free lifestyle.
Abstract
Members of the experimental group were told that their specimens had a one-in-three chance of being tested; all subjects received their test results. The results showed that testing a one-third random sample of collected specimens did not lead to increased drug use or to a reduction in self-disclosure validity over a one-month period. These effects were not changed when other potential influences were examined, including race, age, probation officer, or offense. The findings called into question the conventional assumption that testing and feedback deter drug use. The study suggests that it may be possible to redesign drug-testing programs to decrease cost while maintaining effectiveness.