NCJ Number
124098
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 52 Issue: 3 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 28,30
Date Published
1990
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Project AIM, a drug education and treatment program for inmates in San Diego County jails, began two years ago and seems to be working.
Abstract
AIM stands for awareness about the effects of drug addiction, intervention to help change behavior, and motivation to sustain recovery. At first it targeted the inexperienced offender, but later became recognized as universally applicable. The program consisted of five, two-hour sessions covering medical, mental, social and legal aspects of drug abuse. The first hour of each session included a lecture complete with videos, guest speakers, and written materials, while the second hour included group discussion under the direction of a licensed psychotherapist. When the program expanded in July 1989, the educational component became phase I and the therapeutic component became phase II. Phase III was follow-up residential treatment in the community. Pre- and post-testing showed that the participants' knowledge of drug abuse increased 40 percent. The participant satisfaction survey showed that 83 percent rated the program as excellent; 16 percent as good; and 1 percent as fair. AIM was popular because of interesting material and the quality of instructors and counselors, many of whom had overcome their own addictions. 2 references.