Drug Treatment Availability and Effectiveness

Abstract

Rates of illicit drug use, especially heroin and cocaine, are many times greater among criminal justice populations than in the general population. Research demonstrates that among crimeprone persons, illegal drug use intensifies criminal activity. This article presents the abundant research evidence that supports drug treatment as an effective means to reduce illegal drug use, crime, and recidivism among offender populations. The article is divided into four sections. The first describes the findings of three large-scale investigations of drug treatment's effects. The second reviews the literature on drug treatment effectiveness and availability. The third discusses the benefits of coerced treatment for criminal justice clients. The final section enumerates the principles of effective drug treatment.