NCJ Number
144282
Date Published
1992
Length
23 pages
Annotation
The National Drug Control Strategy supports a comprehensive drug testing policy for criminal offenders, to be implemented at every stage of the criminal justice process, including probation and parole. This strategy is aimed at breaking the cycle of drugs and crime, and preventing recidivism.
Abstract
This pamphlet answers some common questions about drug testing for offenders on probation or parole. A sample of State-enacted drug testing programs is provided to demonstrate the effect that State legislatures can have in the war on drugs. The primary methods of financing drug testing programs are requiring the offender to pay for positive urine tests including the follow-up confirmation test, or obtaining government grants of free technical assistance. This pamphlet discusses how drug tests work and what the results mean, what on-site drug testing involves and its level of accuracy, guidelines for drug testing and sources for training and technical assistance, and what a confirmation test entails. Sanctioning options available in response to a positive drug test include verbal or written reprimands, increased supervision, residential treatment, and shock jail therapy. Drug testing is beneficial for probation and parole officers as a therapeutic tool because of its objectivity, scientifically reliable results, documentation capabilities, and usefulness for indicating relapses into drug use. 9 references