NCJ Number
150324
Journal
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Communique Dated: (Spring 1993) Pages: 19-21
Date Published
1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Oregon has found that consistent, certain sanctions can drastically reduce drug use by offenders on probation or parole.
Abstract
Studies show that drug use and crime can be deterred by longer sentences, well-managed probation, and parole revocation proceedings with consistent sanctions. Systematic intermediate sanctions, combined with drug treatment, have increased the effectiveness of Oregon's overall drug treatment approach. Oregon's experiment with intermediate sanctions began in 1987 when a district attorney expressed his concern over the large number of probationers who had positive urine tests even though they were involved in drug treatment. At that time, probationers were sentenced to substantial periods of incarceration only after several positive urine tests. Probationers continued in their drug use and crime, and jail space was wasted on lengthy sentences imposed by frustrated judges. Oregon initiated its Drug Reduction of Probationers (DROP) Program to assure a swift and certain response when urinalysis shows a probationer has returned to drug use. With DROP, a probationer who uses drugs is immediately arrested and detained in the local county jail. A violation report is immediately delivered to the district attorney. Once a person has been arrested, the individual is tested at least once a month for 6 months. All offenders arrested under the DROP Program are automatically referred to the Coos County Correctional Treatment Center for a full assessment to determine the level of services needed. The DROP Program has saved a substantial number of jail days and has significantly reduced drug use by probationers. 2 figures