Principles On Drug Abuse Treatment - Research Paper Example

Principles On Drug Abuse Treatment Introduction Drug addiction is a disease of the brain, which affects users. The disease has had negative consequences on the society. Such consequences lead to the loss of lives, loss of favorable family interactions, and the use of any funds to operate such programs. A review of the literature on drug treatment strategies association in reducing recidivism reveals diverse details. Scholars attribute that most of the advancement in drug treatment programs focus on the physical dependency of users to the substance (National Institute On Drug Abuse, 2011). These researchers further concentrate on providing information concerning the withdrawal aspect related to drug addiction. Most of these approaches translate to focusing on attempts to blocking addiction (Bhatia, Roman & Chalfin, 2008). There have been varied opinions from scholars on the efficacy of substance abuse treatment programs to reducing offending in the society. Some of these opinions favor such programs while others have a negative connotation on the subject. Effectiveness of drug treatment in Reducing Recidivism There has been a growing consensus of opinions that substance abuse treatment programs tend to promote resistance. It further states that, in reality, many drug offenders do not receive adequate treatment from such programs. This lack of adequacy is a result of strict rules of eligibility and limited resources (Belenko, 1998). On the other hand, limited access to drug treatment programs relates to subjective judgments of drug users. Another factor to consider is the risks of treating such offenders in the community. Data proves that the risks related to drug treatment by offenders are high. According to this analysis, offenders rate the risk of offending to be high and the reward low (National Institute On Drug Abuse, 2011). A large chunk of scholarly literature on substance abuse links criminality to substance abuse. According to National Institute On Drug Abuse (2011), most of the criminal records at the different bureau of police in the United States of America attest to this fact. Categorically the Psychopharmacologic effects of substance abuse tend to motivate users into offending. These drug users commit such acts at their states of intoxication. As stated, drug abuse is the disease of the brain, therefore, its effects include motivation to commit crimes (Levy et al 2007). Users of the substance of drugs commit crimes in order to gain more funds for their addiction. There is evidence that drug users and sellers tend to be violent. A closer look at literature, it is an observation that drug users' criminal activities increase with an increase in substance use. It is also prudent to note that criminal incidences are higher among drug users as compared to those who do not use drugs. The concurrent literature on the subject reveals as drug use reduces; the level of crime reduces among offenders (Bhatia et al, 2008). The recent literature on the subject concentrates on the importance of treatment to reducing recidivism. Drug treatment is cost-effective than incarceration which perpetuates further crimes in some instances. A long-term treatment program would be beneficial to the community and the offender. The Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies (DATOS) suggests that for a treatment program to be a successful participation in treatment is essential. Data from these studies reveal that an approximate of 40%-90% of offenders remain in treatment for some time. These numbers of individuals, on the other hand, tend to reduce their crime offending (Marlowe, 2003). Apart from the use of treatment programs which concentrate on the willingness of offenders, other programs exist. One of these programs is the importance of the Criminal Justice System in providing intervention (National Institute On Drug Abuse, 2011). There is also the use of drug courts as well as Therapeutic Jurisprudence. Then in order to ensure that the drug treatment program meets its goal, certain procedures and processes need observation. In order for offenders to recover from drug addiction, effective treatment is necessary as well as good management procedures. Such treatment needs to have a long-lasting influence, designed to meet the needs of users, and there is the need to have good monitoring techniques (National Institute On Drug Abuse, 2011). Another point of importance in treating offenders should ensure that treatment targets factors associating with offending. On the other hand, effective treatment routine ensures offenders’ re-entry into the community. Is Drug Treatment Effective? There are various substance treatment systems available in the criminal justice system. These forms of treatment include detoxification, self-help groups, education and counseling and well as therapeutic communities. This influence has made it necessary for the criminal justice system to institute majority of their programs as community-based; opposed to incarceration. Some of the most important treatment programs strategies for the criminal justice system include the use of other diversion programs (National Institute On Drug Abuse, 2011). This implies to the use of Drug courts in prosecuting offenses. Another strategy may refer to offering sanctions to offenders. The other strategy for providing treatment would be using coercive techniques. This then would imply to aspects such as frequent drug testing routines or offering strict penalty to offenders if they test positive after drug tests (Levy et al 2007). Drug treatment programs have its successes as well as challenges. The successes of such programs relate to the importance of the drug treatment court. The effectiveness of the drug treatment for criminal justice individuals depends on the programs and individuals. It is then imperative to take note that such success comes from the appropriateness of the program to individuals. The success of treatment relates to the possibility of influencing offender’s attitude and belief. The offender benefits from such programs since it assists ignore certain behaviors related to drug use. According to data from the “Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services” of the US, drug abuse is rampant among millions of citizens (Levy et al, 2007). Its partner organization the National Drug Control Policy office, states that the government loses approximately above $440 billion per annum. Drug treatment should not be mandatory except in special occasions. Individuals need to be comfortable with the system in order to accept it. Drug treatment programs have reduced recidivism considerable, therefore; the program is worth the investment. Drug Courts The increase in the number of drug-related cases in the courts saw the formation of Drug Courts. The court is tasked to solve less serious drug-related offenses. The court, therefore, operates under a budget from the national government. Budgets ensure that all their operations succeed and staff paid. The program's team includes judges, coordinators, nurses, welfare officers, education coordinators, and probation officers (National Institute On Drug Abuse, 2011). The operations of the drug court consist offenders participate in the holistic program. This program provides offenders derivatives that consist of education, health, counseling, training, and probation services (Belenko, 1998). It is a requirement from the court for offenders to attend court hearings. According to Belenko (1998), offenders need to provide urine tests on a regular basis. The court further assists offenders to secure entitlements such as medical, housing, or welfare allowance. Offenders need to visit probation officers on a frequent basis well as visit counseling sessions. However, drug courts are not effective in the treatment of drug-related cases. This is because such courts use coercive means, which offenders conform to for just some time. Drug offenders like programs that give them the chance to volunteer. Courts, however, have strict regulations and procedures, which is not effective. Rehabilitation centers that offer such services voluntarily serve better to offenders (National Institute On Drug Abuse, 2011). Conclusions Drug treatment as a routine is effective in reducing recidivism among offenders. These programs, however, take various forms. These treatments include the use of voluntary service centers such as rehabilitation stations. It may also take the form of mandatory treatment programs that include the use of the drug courts and law enforcement (Marlowe, 2003). Drug courts are effective in diverting drug abusers from going to prison. Drug courts offer services such as probation, counseling, training, and education to offenders. Drug abuse leads to the loss in the national governments' funds. Funding such program costs lots of dollars. On the health of offenders, drug treatment saves offenders from mental health complications. Despite the success of drug success of drug treatment program, it faces several challenges. Such challenges include the unavailability of high-quality programs, the difference in priorities and the inability of such programs to benefit offenders after prison time (Belenko, 1998). References Bhati, A. S., Roman, J. K., Chalfin, A. (2008). To treat or not to treat; Evidence on the prospects of expanding treatment to drug-involved offenders. Justice and Policy Center. Retrieved from http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411645_treatment_offenders.pdf Belenko, S. (1998). Research on drug courts: A critical review. National Drug Court Institute Review, 1(1), 1-42. Levy, D., Shabat, M. Shalev, U., Noam, B, & Zangen, A. (2007). Repeated Electrical stimulation of Reward-Related Brain Regions Affects cocaine But Not " Natural" Reinforcement. Journal of Neuroscience. 27(51), 14179-14179. National Institute On Drug Abuse. (2012). Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations: the research-based guide. Collingdale, PA: Diane Publishing Marlowe, D. B. (2003). Integrating substance abuse treatment and criminal justice supervision. Science & Practice Perspectives, 2(1), 4-14. Read More