Research indicates that 4 out of 5 offenders in the criminal justice system have addictive disorders, and 2 out of every 3 offenders will be rearrested within three years of release. You can help reduce recidivism and make society safer by being aware of substance abuse issues.

Action Steps 

• Work with city or county government to assess problems such as underage drinking in your community and become part of the community wide strategy to reduce alcohol and drug use.
  
  
• Contribute data on alcohol or drug related arrests to help community coalitions, task forces, or local government monitor the progress of community efforts to reduce these problems.
  
  
• Join a community coalition dedicated to alcohol or drug related issues.
  
  
• Enforce laws that currently exist to prevent or reduce harmful alcohol and substance use. For example, does your state or county have a social host law? Is it regularly enforced?
  
  
• Know the range of options and interventions being used within the criminal justice system in your community, such as drug courts, family interventions, jail and prison treatment, and post-release case management.
  
  
• Become familiar with local treatment agencies so you can readily refer someone to treatment if needed.
  
  
• Learn about and help implement projects where offenders are screened for potential alcohol and drug problems so they can get counseling, treatment or join mutual support groups while incarcerated.
  
  
• Work with community groups on re-entry programs, half-way houses, etc. so those leaving prison can start or maintain recovery and positive life changes. 

Resources

Painting the Current Picture: A National Report Card on Drug Courts and Other Problem Solving Court Programs in the United States, Vol. I, No. 1

Adult Drug Courts: Evidence Indicates Recidivism Reductions and Mixed Results for Other Outcomes 

Fixing a Failing System

Tip 44: Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal Justice System

After Prison: Roadblocks to Reentry

What others have done

Washington State Develops Methadone Program for Inmates

Health and jail officials in King County, Washington sought approval for a methadone maintenance program for opiate-dependent inmates in July 2005.

Between 50 and 100 participating inmates would receive liquid methadone, attend counseling sessions and undergo random drug testing. Upon release, enrolled inmates would also receive vouchers for up to nine months of additional treatment. The program would have a budget of $200,000 for 2006, with an additional $150,000 set aside for treatment vouchers.

Long-time addicts convicted of lesser offenses and the mentally ill would receive priority for participation, but a 12-day detoxification program would be included as an option ease withdrawal for newly booked inmates who do not qualify for the long-term program.

"What we're trying to do is focus on the people who have the opioid dependency but are also the ones who return to jail over and over again so we can interrupt that cycle," said Mark Alstead, manager of the public health program for Seattle and King County.

The only other jail with a methadone maintenance program is Rikers Island in New York. According to Alstead, such programs are rare because federal regulation is cumbersome and methadone treatment is controversial.

But methadone maintenance does not play "just a legal dope-giving kind of role," said Deb Cummins, a Washington state drug treatment manager. "[The program is] going to save taxpayer money in the long haul -- plus give people a chance for a better life."