NCJ Number
170643
Date Published
1989
Length
71 pages
Annotation
This report presents information and recommendations from an evaluation of the implementation and early operation of the Multnomah County (Oregon) Detection and Monitoring of Drug-Using Arrestees Program (DMDA).
Abstract
The Multnomah County DMDA program incorporates drug-use information obtained through urinalysis into the pretrial release process in the county. Intake urinalysis results are provided to the pretrial release decision-makers for use in setting appropriate release conditions; and drug monitoring is provided for use by pretrial supervising agencies to which many arrestees are released. The DMDA program itself has three goals: to obtain information about drug use in the arrestee population; to provide drug test information to the arraignment courts to aid them in setting release conditions; and to reduce the rates of pretrial failure-to-appear and rearrest among participants by monitoring them for drug use. This report covers the program's first 9 months of operation. Despite the difficulties presented by the decentralized organization of the program, many early implementation problems have been resolved through the coordinated efforts of the seven main agencies. Recommendations are in the areas of information system/client tracking, program organization, and drug treatment.