NCJ Number
215209
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 1-22
Date Published
2006
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated differences in White and African-American drug court participants in Missouri, highlighting the implications for treatment strategies.
Abstract
Significant differences were found in outcomes and characteristics between Whites and African-Americans in 10 Missouri adult drug courts. Whites were more likely to graduate and they differed in significant ways from African-Americans as far as where they lived prior to drug court. Employment levels at entry differed significantly between the two groups, as well as primary drug of choice, levels of positive family support, and socioeconomic status. Utilizing Hirsch’s control theory, that social conditions exert external control over behavior, as a guide, this study sought to determine if a significant difference existed between the race of drug court participants and their social conditions as a way to better understand how the interaction of individual behavior and social controls helped treatment providers understand the racial differences in drug court outcomes. The basic research question was why did disproportionate numbers of African-Americans not graduate from drug court? Tables, references