NCJ Number
152506
Date Published
1991
Length
62 pages
Annotation
Focusing on prevention and treatment strategies for alcohol and other drug abuse problems, this publication uses a question- and-answer format to discuss the definition of drug abuse, the persons involved, the reasons State legislators should be concerned, available prevention and treatment strategies, funding for programs, and State responses to the problems.
Abstract
The discussion notes that alcohol problems are associated most often with young, single males and that a majority of people receiving drug treatment are men age 20-40. Policymakers are concerned about drug abuse because of its direct and indirect impacts, including lost worker productivity, increased health and social services demands, high-risk pregnancy, AIDS, unsafe highways, increased crime, homelessness, mental health problems, and disrupted families. Prevention efforts include community prevention, education in the schools, and State regulation. Treatment strategies include acute intervention, rehabilitation, maintenance, and treatment for special needs. Treatment models include the Minnesota model, pharmacological treatment, methadone maintenance, therapeutic communities, outpatient nonmethadone programs, chemical dependency programs, and employee assistance programs. Funding sources include Federal, State, and local governments and private sources such as insurance, mandated benefits, and client fees. States are responding in many ways to the problems, some emphasizing prevention and treatment, others focusing on enforcement, and others on all three areas. Reference notes, list of State agencies, and appended tables and list of resource organizations