Regression analyses on data for more than 2,200 persons indicate that clients who are legally induced to seek treatment stay in treatment longer than and do at least as well as those who voluntarily seek treatment. The evidence suggests that the use of legal threat to pressure persons into drug treatment is a valid approach for dealing with drug abusers and their undesirable behaviors. Legal threat apparently helps keep these offenders constructively involved in treatment and does not adversely affect long-term treatment goals. There has been some reluctance by drug abuse treatment personnel to serve clients referred by the criminal justice system under the assumption that involuntary entry into treatment undermines treatment efforts. Findings suggest, however, that such treatment is just as favorable as that for nonoffender drug abusers who voluntarily enter treatment. 28 references.