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Linking Criminal Sanctions, Drug Testing, and Drug Abuse Treatment: A Crime Control Strategy for the 1990s

NCJ Number
131872
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (1989) Pages: 329-343
Author(s)
C A Visher
Date Published
1989
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper presents an overview of current drug testing and drug treatment in the criminal justice system and reviews several programs that show some promise in reducing criminal activity and drug use among drug-involved offenders.
Abstract
The available research suggests that ties between the drug treatment and criminal justice systems should be strengthened because inducing the reduction or cessation of drug use by offenders most likely will be a vital crime control strategy for the foreseeable future. Steps that the criminal justice and drug treatment systems can take to provide a starting point for more extensive coordination include the following: identifying drug-involved offenders through urine testing, either at arrest, during pretrial release, or as a condition of probation and parole; conducting a thorough individual assessment for those who test positive for illegal drugs to ascertain the nature and extent of drug use and any associated lifestyle patterns; supervising drug-involved offenders closely; and providing regular in-service training programs on drug use, drug testing, and drug treatment for criminal justice personnel. 2 notes and 44 references (Author abstract modified)