NCJ Number
125826
Date Published
1989
Length
32 pages
Annotation
The relationship between drugs and crime has prompted renewed interest in exploring the potential of treatment options for controlling drug dependency.
Abstract
In particular, increasing attention has been focused on treatment services for drug-dependent offenders. The National Criminal Justice Association, in conjunction with the National Governors' Association and with support from the U.S. Department of Justice, is attempting to identify effective and workable approaches to the treatment of drug-dependent offenders and to provide guidance to criminal justice officials in selecting, implementing, and assessing the effectiveness of various treatment approaches. The first stage of this project involves a survey of all states to determine policy and other considerations affecting the level and availability of drug treatment services for offenders. Preliminary results of this survey reveal an overall lack of funding and treatment facilities available, as well as a lack of qualified personnel. Drug-dependent offenders are generally treated in the same manner as drug-dependent individuals in the general population. Typically, no distinction is made between alcohol and drug abuse in establishing treatment policy and budgets; the distinction is made, however, in making placement decisions for treatment. Counseling and therapy is the most common treatment intervention. While most states responded that AIDS has not affected treatment services for drug-dependent offenders, they anticipate that it will become a consideration in the near future. 1 appendix.