Evaluation of the Compulsory Drug Treatment Program (CDTP)

• NCJ Number: 233598
• Author(s): Joula Dekker; Kate O'Brien; Nadine Smith
• Date Published: 2010
• Length: 68 pages
• Corporate Author: New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
• Sale Source: New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Legislative Evaluation Series

Annotation

This evaluation of New South Wales' Compulsory Drug Treatment Program (CDTP) assesses its achievement of the following legislative objectives for the program: provision of a comprehensive program of compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation under judicial supervision; effective treatment for drug dependency; promotion of the reintegration of persons in the community; and the prevention and reduction in crime by persons who resort to crime in supporting their drug dependency.

Abstract

Although the lack of a comparison group made it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the effectiveness of the CDTP, there are some promising aspects to the program. Participants' health and well-being apparently improved over time under the program's influence. Even though the program was coercive (compulsory), the vast majority of participants felt that their participation in the program was voluntary. Participants made positive comments about the program and consistently expressed a desire to be in the program regardless of their stage of participation. These promising findings, however, are somewhat undermined by the fact that illegal and nonprescribed drug use was detected in the majority of participants in at least one of the drug tests. The CDTP which began in August 2006 operates as a five-stage post-sentencing program for males. Stage 1 involves full-time custody at the CDTP Correctional Center, during which participants are assessed for physical and mental health needs and provided with programs of adult education, work readiness, skills building, and therapy that targets dynamic risk factors for drug-related offending. Stage 2 consists of semi-open detention under which participants can leave the facility to participate in employment, training, and approved social activities. Therapeutic programs in this stage maintain positive behavioral change, and training assists in effective reintegration into the community. Stage 3 involves intensive supervision in the community. Stage 4 is parole followed by stage 5 voluntary case management. Participants stay in each stage for at least 6 months. 11 tables, 11 figures, 41 references, and appended interview schedules