More NCJRS Abstracts, April 22, 2007

AMONG THE LATEST RESEARCH POSTED AT http://www.ncjrs.gov/. CHECK FOR OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST THERE AS WELL.

NCJ 217693
Serge Brochu ; Louis-Georges Cournoyer ; Joel Tremblay ; Jacques Bergeron ; Natacha Brunelle ; Michel Landry
Understanding Treatment Impact on Drug-Addicted Offenders
Substance Use and Misuse Volume:41 Issue:14 Dated:2006 Pages:1937 to 1949

This study examined variables that could predict perseverance and impact of treatment for drug-addicted offenders in Quebec . Study results indicate that individuals awaiting charges, trial, or sentencing, who perceive pressure but have not yet entered the penal system, persevere in treatment. Therefore, it is seen as reasonable to believe that the threat inherent in the judicial process does have the impact desired by courts, but has only been observed on the pre-sentencing level. The study also indicates that while pressure has a beneficial impact in that it reduces dropout risk in the short term, at least with individuals subject to pre-sentencing pressure, such perseverance is not necessarily tied to positive treatment impact. Most drug-addicted offenders require services and treatment not provided by the criminal justice system. Numerous studies have shown that offenders successfully exposed to treatment for sufficiently long periods of time obtain beneficial results. This Canadian study examined variables that could predict treatment perseverance and impact for 124 offenders admitted to 1 of 5 rehabilitation centers for alcoholic/drug addicts representing different regions of the province of Quebec . Tables, references

NCJ 217695
Carl A. Latkin ; Melissa A. Davey ; Wei Hua
Needle Exchange Program Utilization and Entry Into Drug User Treatment: Is There a Long-Term Connection in Baltimore , Maryland ?
Substance Use and Misuse Volume:41 Issue:14 Dated:2006 Pages:1991 to 2001

This study explored the relationship between Needle Exchange Program (NEP) utilization and treatment entry in Baltimore , MD. Results of the study indicate that drug injectors who enter treatment differ from injectors who do not enter treatment. Specifically, injectors who enrolled in a treatment program were more likely to be female, HIV positive, employed, have a history of mental illness, and report using the Baltimore City Needle Exchange Program (NEP). Evidence shows that NEPs may play an important role in linking drug users to treatment. It was found that within more than a year after baseline assessment, injectors who utilized the NEPs were more likely to enter treatment. The results revealed a significant relationship between entering treatment and being HIV positive. HIV and drug abuse are major public health problems in urban communities throughout the Unites States , as well as other countries. Two effective strategies to reduce these problems are needle exchange programs and drug user treatment. Utilizing participants recruited through street outreach in areas with high drug activity, this study examined factors associated with treatment entry at follow-up assessment. The interest was in assessing the role of NEPs in treatment entry among injectors living in Baltimore , MD. It was hypothesized that injection drug users who attended the NEP would have more familiarity and comfort with social services and hence be more likely to enter treatment during the follow-up assessment. Tables, references