NCJ Number
58032
Journal
NOUVELLE PRESSE MEDICALE Volume: 7 Issue: 24 Dated: (1978) Pages: 2183-2188
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON THE INCARCERATION OF DRUG ADDICTS IN THE FLEURY-MEROGIS PRISON IN FRANCE, THIS STUDY EXAMINES ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR DRUG USERS, DEPENDENT UPON THE SEVERITY OF ADDICTION.
Abstract
OF THE 258 DRUG ADDICTS AT THE FLEURY-MEROGIS PRISON, 103 ARE CONSIDERED HEAVY USERS; OF 32 SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, 24 WERE HEAVY DRUG USERS. BECAUSE THOSE CONVICTED FOR USE OR POSSESSION OF SUCH DRUGS AS MARIHUANA OR HASHISH RARELY ATTEMPT SUICIDE AND HAVE ALMOST NO PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS, IMPRISONMENT OF THESE DRUG USERS SHOULD BE DISCARDED FOR PSYCHIATRIC OR PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT OR DECRIMINALIZATION OF THE OFFENSE. TREATMENT FOR HEAVY DRUG ADDICTS REQUIRES THE ADDICT'S SINCERE DESIRE TO BE PSYCHOANALYZED AND CURED, THE AVAILABILITY OF A SPECIALIZED THERAPIST FOR AS MANY YEARS AS NEEDED, AND A STABLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE THERAPIST AND THE ADDICT IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH VIOLENT REACTIONS THAT CAN OCCUR DURING WITHDRAWAL. MOST PRISONS ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT WITHOUT ADEQUATE MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC STAFF, CUSTODIAL PERSONNEL WELL-VERSED IN DRUG CASES, COOPERATION BETWEEN PRISON MEDICAL STAFF AND OUTSIDE SPECIAL TREATMENT CENTERS, AND MEDICAL-JURIDICAL COLLABORATION. MAGISTRATES ARE OFTEN DISCOURAGED BY THE FAILURE OF A DRUG ADDICT TO BE CURED THROUGH TREATMENT IN AN OPEN INSTITUTION; THEREFORE, THEY RESORT TO REPRESSIVE SENTENCES WITH FULL INCARCERATION PROVISIONS. THE FLEURY-MEROGIS PRISON ATTEMPTS TO IMPLEMENT AN ENTIRE DRUG PROGRAM IN COOPERATION WITH THE COURTS, WHEREIN TREATMENT IS ADMINISTERED ALONG WITH CAREFUL PREPARATION OF THE ADDICT FOR REENTRY INTO SOCIETY. PROPOSALS FAVOR INCARCERATION WITH IMPROVED TREATMENT METHODS, CONTROLLED THERAPY IN OPEN INSTITUTIONS, ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE SPECIALIZED TREATMENT CENTERS, AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES FOR DRUG ADDICTION. SEVERAL FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. --IN FRENCH. (MHP)