Drug abuse history and treatment needs of jail inmates.

Community Reintegration

April 2021

Full Citation

Peters, R. H., & Kearns, W. D. (1992). Drug abuse history and treatment needs of jail inmates. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 18(3), 355-366. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00952999209026072

Abstract

Evaluated the extent of prior drug use and psychosocial dysfunction related to drug use among 499 adult jail inmates referred to a substance abuse treatment program. Results indicate that inmates were involved with alcohol for an average of 102 mo, and with cocaine for 53 mo. The majority of inmates reported heavy use of drugs in the month prior to the last arrest; more than 80% had used crack cocaine. Half of all Ss indicated a pattern of regular cocaine use within a year of involvement with drugs. These Ss' history of infrequent and unsuccessful involvement in rehabilitation programs reflects a need for compulsory treatment following release from jail, community supervision to ensure compliance with treatment, and development of linkages between jail drug treatment programs, courts, and community treatment providers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)