NCJ Number
49015
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 44 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1977) Pages: 32,34
Date Published
1977
Length
2 pages
Annotation
POLICE POLICY AND ATTITUDE CHANGES THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF A TREATMENT ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM FOR DRUG ABUSERS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE CITY OF MADISON, WIS., EXPERIENCED A DECREASE IN DRUG ARRESTS FROM 1970 TO 1975, A PERIOD DURING WHICH DRUG ARRESTS INCREASED 31 PERCENT NATIONWIDE. TWO FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DECREASE: ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM IN 1972, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY CHANGES AND TRAINING EFFORTS AIMED AT CHANGING POLICE ATTITUDES ABOUT DRUG ABUSE. THE TREATMENT PROGRAM IS STAFFED BY SOCIAL WORKERS, PARAPROFESSIONALS, FORMER ABUSERS, AND A POLICE LIAISON OFFICER. THE LIAISON OFFICER COORDINATES THE DRUG-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS. THE OFFICER ALSO PROVIDES PRESERVICE AND INSERVICE INSTRUCTION ON DRUG ABUSE TO POLICE OFFICERS AS PART OF A DEPARTMENTAL EFFORT DESIGNED TO PROMOTE TREATMENT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION FOR DRUG ABUSERS. THE LIAISON OFFICER IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE OPEN RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS EVOLVED BETWEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND TREATMENT PROGRAM PERSONNEL. THE EFFECT OF IMPROVED COOPERATION BETWEEN TREATMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL HAS BEEN A MARKED DROP IN DRUG ARRESTS AND A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN REFERRALS OF DRUG ABUSERS BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO THE TREATMENT PROGRAM. (LKM)