NCJ Number
118317
Date Published
1989
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This document presents the issues and costs to be considered when implementing pretrial drug testing programs.
Abstract
The jurisdictional factors bearing on costs of testing are: the size of arrestee population, the rate of drug abuse, the rate of nonfinancial release of arrestees, the case disposition time and case dismissal rate, the job classification and salary scales of employees, office expenses and renovations, and the hours of coverage. The policy and procedural factors bearing on the costs of testing include the target population, the drug screen, the initial frequency of testing, the compliance and violation policies, and staffing. Two cost models are presented to illustrate how the above factors can be used to estimate drug testing costs. Before a decision is made to begin a pretrial drug testing program in a jurisdiction, issues must be considered such as why there should be pretrial drug testing, if the information provided is respected enough by the court to receive appropriate consideration, and whether staff is adequately trained and resources are available to implement the program. 1 table, 18 notes, and appendix.