Efficacy of Forced Treatment

• NCJ Number: 200780
• Journal: Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2002 Pages: 543-552
• Author(s): Harold Hans Koerner
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Special Issue: Confronting the Prohibition Model: German Drug Policy in the 21st Century, see NCJ-200770-779, and NCJ-200781-786

Annotation

This article examines Germany’s drug policy, which emphasizes drug treatment over punishment.

Abstract

Reforms to Germany’s narcotics law in 1981 sought to intensify repression against drug dealers and smugglers while widening drug treatment and assistance access for drug users and offenders. This article presents Germany’s substantive law and formal requirements for proposing the deferral of prison detention in favor of in-patient treatment for drug addiction. While the number of deferrals to outpatient treatment programs was quite small initially, the number has grown as prosecutors have gained confidence in the system. Maintenance treatment for heroin dependence has been a significant part of Germany’s drug policy since 1990, and Germany’s therapy in place of treatment model allows drug users and abusers many ways in which to avoid imprisonment while offering functional drug treatment programming. The general acceptance of outpatient psychotherapy and methadone dispensing has greatly reduced the counter-productive effects associated with imprisonment for drug offenses.