NCJ Number
81516
Date Published
Unknown
Length
67 pages
Annotation
This study, conducted during 1976-79, assessed the incidence and prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse among adult and juvenile offenders in Iowa. The intent was to create a profile of substance-abusing offenders and to identify substance abuse programming needs for these persons.
Abstract
A survey was conducted of adult offenders in Iowa's correctional institutions and of the training needs of institutional and community-based correctional staff. Juvenile offenders in various group homes and juvenile institutions throughout the State were also surveyed. Trend data regarding substance abuse were obtained during the final year of the study. The surveys indicate that about 50 percent of the surey population were using drugs at the time of their arrest; 45 percent were using alcohol when arrested. A total of 60 percent of the admissions to the three State juvenile institutions in 1978 were identified as having a moderate to severe drug, alcohol, or polydrug abuse problem. Alcohol, heroin, and barbiturates were the primary substances of abuse among women, and alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine were mentioned by men as the primary substances of abuse. A total of 40 percent of the probationers and parolees in 1978 were identified as having a serious substance abuse problem. Community correctional staff at all eight judicial districts had written referral agreements with local substance abuse treatment agencies, and correctional staff identified training in the area of substance abuse as their top priority. The report emphasizes that resource sharing and information exchange are critical to successful identification and subsequent treatment efforts aimed at the substance-abusing offender. Footnotes and tables are provided.