Drug Inmates Lacking Proper Treatment For Drug Addiction

Drugs are involved in more and more crimes, yet facilities are not effective in treating drug abuse, a study shows.

“Narconon Drug Rehab was actually sarted in a prison by William Benitez,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab, Atlanta Recovery Center. “This program proved effective in treating the cause of criminality, being drug abuse and the attendant drug addiction and crime, however a study by NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) shows that vast majority of prisoners who could benefit from drug abuse treatment do not receive it, despite two decades of research that demonstrate its effectiveness. Jail alternatives simply are few and far between.”

"Treating drug-abusing offenders improves public health and safety," said NIDA Director and report coauthor Dr. Nora D. Volkow. "In addition to the devastating social consequences for individuals and their families, drug abuse exacts serious health effects, including increased risk for infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C; and treatment for addiction can help prevent their spread.Providing drug abusers with treatment also makes it less likely that these abusers will return to the criminal justice system."

NIDA scientists note that about half of all prisoners (including some sentenced for non-drug-related offenses) are dependent on drugs, yet less than 20 percent of inmates suffering from drug abuse or dependence receive formal treatment. A jail alternative such as drug treatment is needed.

“Clearly trying to punish someone into not using drugs doesn’t work,” comments Ms. Rieser. “A drug addict may commit crimes, but is still drug addict. Of course they need to responsible for their actions, but we need to recognize that drug addiction does not heal itself.”

"Viewing addiction as a disease does not remove the responsibility of the individual," said Volkow. "It highlights the responsibility of the addicted person to get drug treatment and society's responsibility to make treatment available."

The authors of the report suggest that the criminal justice system is in a unique position to encourage drug abusers to enter and remain in treatment, thereby disrupting the vicious cycle of drug use and crime. In fact, most studies indicate that outcomes for those who are legally pressured to enter treatment are as good as or better than outcomes for those who enter treatment without legal pressure, the researchers note.

There are several ways in which drug abuse treatment can be incorporated into the criminal justice system. These include therapeutic alternatives to incarceration, treatment merged with judicial oversight in drug courts, treatments provided in prison and jail, and reentry programs to help offenders transition from incarceration back into the community.

Some communities cite costs as the reason for not treating drug-involved offenders; however, the report discusses the economic benefits of treating such offenders. "A dollar spent on drug courts saves about $4 in avoided costs of incarceration and health care; and prison-based treatment saves between $2 and $6," Chandler, a researcher for NIDA said.

*Source: NIDA

Call Atlanta Recovery Center for jail alternatives at 1-877-413-3073.
      
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