NCJ Number
45702
Journal
Drug Forum Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (SPRING 1974) Pages: 295-306
Date Published
1974
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A MODEL PRETRIAL COURT DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR NARCOTICS ADDICTS IS PRESENTED: THIS COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATIVE PROGRAM COMBINES STRUCTURED SCREENING AND REFERRAL IN TWO PHASES.
Abstract
GOALS OF THE ENTIRE PROGRAM, INCLUDING BOTH THE PRETRIAL AND EMPLOYABILITY PHASES, ARE TO BENEFIT THE ADDICT BY PROVIDING TREATMENT RATHER THAN INCARCERATION; TO PLACE SUITABLE ADDICTS IN TREATMENT FACILITIES DIRECTLY FROM THE COURT PROCEEDINGS; TO SECURE EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL COUNSELING AND TRAINING OR EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT DURING OR AFTER THE TREATMENT CYCLE; TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY OF REHABILITATIVE TREATMENT PROGRAMS; AND TO DEVELOP SUCCESSFUL IDENTIFICATION, SCREENING, AND REFERRAL PROCESSES THAT WILL ENSURE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT FOR SELECTED ADDICTS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. DURING THE PRETRIAL PHASE, CENTRAL PROGRAM STAFF WILL COORDINATE AND DIRECT ALL INTAKE INTERVIEWS, DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY, AND PLACE CLIENTS IN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT MODALITIES. INTAKE INTERVIEWS FOLLOWING PRETRIAL DETOXIFICATION WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE LEGAL ELIGIBILITY, CLIENT MOTIVATION, AND THE TYPE OF PROGRAM BEST SUITING CLIENT NEEDS. CENTRAL STAFF LIAISONS INFORM INTERVIEWERS OF TREATMENT AVAILABILITY IN PARTICIPATING PROGRAMS AND UNDERTAKE THE ACTUAL REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT. THE PROGRAM'S ATTORNEY/ADVOCATE WILL ACCOMPANY THE CLIENT TO A FIRST AND SECOND COURT APPEARANCE AND WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE CLIENT'S PROGRESS. IN THE CASE OF UNSATISFACTORY INITIAL PLACEMENTS, THE CLIENT MAY BE RE-INTERVIEWED AND PLACED IN A DIFFERENT PROGRAM. ABSCONDANCE FROM TREATMENT FACILITIES MUST BE MET WITH WARRANTS. DURING THE EMPLOYMENT PHASE, INTAKE INTERVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS DETERMINE CLIENT ELIGIBILITY AND PLACE THE CLIENT IN THE APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL MODALITY (TRAINING OR EMPLOYMENT). ADMISSION TO THIS PHASE WILL DEPEND IN PART ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PRETRIAL PHASE AND AT LEAST 3 MONTHS SATISFACTORY PARTICIPATION IN A TREATMENT PROGRAM. IF TRAINING IS DEEMED NECESSARY, THE CLIENT WILL MEET WEEKLY WITH A COUNSELOR WHO IS KEPT INFORMED OF THE CLIENT'S STATUS AND PROGRESS. IF SUCH TRAINING IS NOT NEEDED, OR UPON COMPLETION OF TRAINING THE CLIENT, THE COUNSELOR WILL COORDINATE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING OR EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEWS AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FOLLOWUP WORK AFTER SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT. A PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD, COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES AND OFFICES, SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO LEND DIRECTION TO AND OVERSEE THE PROGRAM. THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM AIMED AT TOTAL REHABILITATION OF THE NARCOTICS ADDICT IS REITERATED. AN OPERATIONAL DIAGRAM OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAM IS INCLUDED. (JAP)