NCJ Number
9767
Journal
California Youth Authority Quarterly Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: (FALL 1972) Pages: 28-33
Date Published
1972
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE RULES AND REQUIREMENTS OF FUNDING AND SPONSORING AGENCIES, THE PRESENCE OF SPURIOUS CLIENTS, AND PRESSURES BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OFTEN HINDER TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
Abstract
CLIENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS IN A VARIETY OF CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS WERE INTERVIEWED FOR THIS STUDY. FUNDING AND SPONSORING AGENCY PRESSURES ENCOURAGED EXAGGERATED TREATMENT CLAIMS IN THE AREAS OF TREATMENT SUCCESS OR NUMBERS AND TYPES OF PEOPLE TREATED. THE EXTENSIVE FORM-FILLING AND RECORD-KEEPING REQUIRED BY THESE AGENCIES FOUND TO INTERFERE WITH THE TREATMENT PROCESS. MANY PROGRAMS WERE PLAGUED BY THE PRESENCE OF DRUG USERS WHO WERE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT REHABILITATION AND TEENAGE NON-DRUG ABUSERS WHO USED TREATMENT SITES AS GATHERING PLACES. THESE GROUPS INTERFERED WITH THE TREATMENT OF SERIOUS CLIENTS AND JEOPARDIZED THE FUTURE OF MANY PROGRAMS BY CREATING A BAD IMAGE IN THE DRUG WORLD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY. HOSTILITY FROM NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS, EXPRESSED THROUGH PRESSURES ON LANDLORDS AND CONSTANT BUILDING INSPECTIONS, ALSO HINDERED PROGRAMS. TO REMEDY SOME OF THESE DIFFICULTIES, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT FUNDING AND SPONSORING AGENCIES CEASE TO REQUIRE INSTANT SUCCESS OR EVIDENCE OF IT.