The RE-AIM Evaluation of the Evidence-Based Multiple Drug Treatment Program in Taiwan District

Abstract

This study employs the RE-AIM based 360-degree feedback analysis to examine the scientific evidence-based drug treatment program implemented by the Agency of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, in Taiwan to ensure the program quality and effective resource allocation and to help improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Also, the study results were expected to strengthen the possibility of drug addicts successfully returning to society, achieving the goal of preventing recidivism and reshaping the meaningful life for drug offenders. Based on the outcomes of qualitative interviews, focus groups, pre- and post-measurement scores, case manager's work survey questionnaires, and official statistics analysis for the year 2020-2021, this study attempts to complete the goal through the RE-AIM model analysis. In terms of Reach dimension, the study finds that the proportion of drug-administering cases that completed professional treatment before release from prison has been increasing year by year; in terms of Effectiveness dimension, regardless of the scale scores, the subjective feelings of the clients encountered or the official statistics, we find that the positive impacts on the case (behavior change and self-understanding), and there is still room for improvement in reducing impulsive of drug offenders, curriculum design and recidivism rate; in terms of Adoption dimension, besides to practical workers, colleagues in other departments in the organization also intervened in the plan to some extent, but there is still room for improvement in the horizontal connection and integration of various units; in terms of Implementation dimension, the service and investment time of the first-line practitioners are in agreement with the core values of the Evidence-Based Drug Treatment Program; in terms of Maintenance dimension, data on recidivism out of prison shows that the treatment courses have continuous effects for the case intervention. Besides, it also indicates that the Agency of Corrections and Ministry of Justice will not only keep promoting this treatment program but also continue to improve it and see the "Scientific Evidence-based Drug Treatment program" as the organization's regular service. Finally, the research findings provided suggestions for curriculum planning, resource allocation, treatment execution, and practical work aids.