The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that locking up people with addictions is no cure, instead advocating the use of effective treatment in criminal-justice settings, the Associated Press reported July 24.

The NIDA report urges more use of methadone and other addiction medications in prisons and court-ordered treatment programs; the agency also endorsed using pressure tactics to keep offenders in treatment and drug-testing to track treatment progress and prevent relapse. "The criminal-justice system offers an extraordinary opportunity to help people with drug problems," said NIDA Director Nora Volkow.

"What does not work?" said Volkow. "Putting a person who is addicted to drugs in jail for five or 10 years and thinking that will cure him with no treatment. The likelihood of that person relapsing is very high."

Drug-policy reform advocate Maia Szalavitz praised the recommendations, particularly for encouraging use of methadone and not just 12-step programs in prison. "If these guidelines help addicts in the justice system to get more sensitive and appropriate care, they will be highly useful," said Szalavitz. "But if systems are not put in place to ensure that the system rewards treatment excellence and drops harmful and ineffective methods, they won't do much."

The NIDA Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations include:

1. Drug addiction is a brain disease that affects behavior.
   
2. Recovery from drug addiction requires effective treatment, followed by management of the problem over time.
   
3. Treatment must last long enough to produce stable behavioral changes.
   
4. Assessment is the first step in treatment.
   
5. Tailoring services to fit the needs of the individual is an important part of effective drug abuse treatment for criminal justice populations.
   
6. Drug use during treatment should be carefully monitored.
   
7. Treatment should target factors that are associated with criminal behavior.
   
8. Criminal justice supervision should incorporate treatment planning for drug abusing offenders, and treatment providers should be aware of correctional supervision requirements.
   
9. Continuity of care is essential for drug abusers reentering the community.
   
10. A balance of rewards and sanctions encourages prosocial behavior and treatment participation.
    
11. Offenders with co-occurring drug abuse and mental health problems often require an integrated treatment approach.
    
12. Medications are an important part of treatment for many drug abusing offenders.
    
13. Treatment planning for drug abusing offenders reentering the community should include strategies to prevent and treat medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis.