Frequently Asked Questions
7. What Role Can The Criminal Justice System
Play In The Treatment Of Drug Addiction?
Increasingly, research is demonstrating that treatment for drug-addicted
offenders during and after incarceration can have a significant beneficial
effect upon future drug use, criminal behavior, and social functioning.
The case for integrating drug addiction treatment approaches with
the criminal justice system is compelling. Combining prison- and community-based
treatment for drug-addicted offenders reduces the risk of both recidivism
to drug-related criminal behavior and relapse to drug use. For example,
a recent study found that prisoners who participated in a therapeutic
treatment program in the Delaware State Prison and continued to receive
treatment in a work-release program after prison were 70 percent less
likely than nonparticipants to return to drug use and incur rearrest
(See Treatment
Section).
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Individuals Who Enter Treatment
Under Legal Pressure Have Outcomes As Favorable As Those Who
Enter Treatment Voluntarily.
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The majority of offenders involved with the criminal justice system
are not in prison but are under community supervision. For those with
known drug problems, drug addiction treatment may be recommended or
mandated as a condition of probation. Research has demonstrated that
individuals who enter treatment under legal pressure have outcomes
as favorable as those who enter treatment voluntarily.
The criminal justice system refers drug offenders into treatment
through a variety of mechanisms, such as diverting nonviolent offenders
to treatment, stipulating treatment as a condition of probation or
pretrial release, and convening specialized courts that handle cases
for offenses involving drugs. Drug courts, another model, are dedicated
to drug offender cases. They mandate and arrange for treatment as
an alternative to incarceration, actively monitor progress in treatment,
and arrange for other services to drug-involved offenders.
The most effective models integrate criminal justice and drug treatment
systems and services. Treatment and criminal justice personnel work
together on plans and implementation of screening, placement, testing,
monitoring, and supervision, as well as on the systematic use of sanctions
and rewards for drug abusers in the criminal justice system. Treatment
for incarcerated drug abusers must include continuing care, monitoring,
and supervision after release and during parole.
8. How does drug addiction treatment help
reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases?
Many drug addicts, such as heroin or cocaine addicts and particularly
injection drug users, are at increased risk for HIV/AIDS as well as
other infectious diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis, and sexually
transmitted infections. For these individuals and the community at
large, drug addiction treatment is disease prevention.
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Drug Addiction Treatment Is
Disease Prevention.
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Drug injectors who do not enter treatment are up to six times more
likely to become infected with HIV than injectors who enter and remain
in treatment. Drug users who enter and continue in treatment reduce
activities that can spread disease, such as sharing injection equipment
and engaging in unprotected sexual activity. Participation in treatment
also presents opportunities for screening, counseling, and referral
for additional services. The best drug abuse treatment programs provide
HIV counseling and offer HIV testing to their patients.
9. Where Do 12-Step or Self-Help Programs
Fit Into Drug Addiction Treatment?
Self-help groups can complement and extend the effects of professional
treatment. The most prominent self-help groups are those affiliated
with Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA), Narcotics Anonymous
(NA), and Cocaine Anonymous
(CA), all of which are based on the 12-step model, and Smart RecoveryŽ. Most
drug addiction treatment programs encourage patients to participate
in a self-help group during and after formal treatment.
10. How can families and friends make a difference
in the life of someone needing treatment?
Family and friends can play critical roles in motivating individuals
with drug problems to enter and stay in treatment. Family therapy
is important, especially for adolescents (See Approaches
to Treatment Section). Involvement of a family member in an
individual's treatment program can strengthen and extend the benefits
of the program.
11. Is Drug Addiction Treatment Worth Its
Cost?
Drug addiction treatment is cost-effective in reducing drug use and
its associated health and social costs. Treatment is less expensive
than alternatives, such as not treating addicts or simply incarcerating
addicts. For example, the average cost for 1 full year of methadone
maintenance treatment is approximately $4,700 per patient, whereas
1 full year of imprisonment costs approximately $18,400 per person.
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Drug Addiction Treatment Is
cost-effective in reducing drug use and its associated health
and social costs.
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According to several conservative estimates, every $1 invested in
addiction treatment programs yields a return of between $4 and $7
in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and theft alone.
When savings related to health care are included, total savings can
exceed costs by a ratio of 12 to 1. Major savings to the individual
and society also come from significant drops in interpersonal conflicts,
improvements in workplace productivity, and reductions in drug-related
accidents.
