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Abstract #154877

Thomas H. Nochajski, PhD, School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, SUNY, 219 Parker Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, Scott Coffey, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Addiction Research and Treatment Laboratory (ARTLab), 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, and Mark G. Farrell, JD, School of Law and School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, SUNY, 219 Parker Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, 716-565-3176, judgefarrell@aol.com.

Many substance abusers become involved with the criminal justice system at some point, and drug courts are an expanding avenue to reach them with treatment services. While drug courts are effective in many cases, there is a need to explore which factors contribute to successful completion. Records of all individuals who entered a suburban drug court program from 2004-2006 were reviewed (n=271). These included information about demographics, arrests, substances abused, physical and mental health, and drug court progress. Likelihood of success was associated with being employed, greater education, having private insurance, client perceived problem severity, alcohol as a drug of choice, DWI as a current charge, one prior arrest, fewer children, and reporting treatment or medication for mental health issue(s). Cocaine or cannabis abuse, drug abuse symptoms, multiple drugs of choice, past substance abuse treatment, an inpatient stay during drug court, theft as a current charge, two or more prior arrests, and sanctions or warrants during drug court were associated with increased risk for failure. The final model correctly classified 82% of failures and 91% of successes and included type of insurance, perceived problem severity, abuse of cannabis or cocaine, inpatient placement, and having any warrants. Based on these findings, it is recommended that a broad range of variables be considered (e.g., insurance status, substances of abuse) when drug court staff interact with drug court participants. Being mindful of issues that predict completion may increase the allocation of resources toward clients who need extra attention to complete successfully.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the purpose and effectiveness of drug courts as an intervention for substance abusing individuals
• Identify which factors contribute to successful or unsuccessful completion of drug court
• Apply presentation information in drug court and substance abuse treatment settings to aid clients in need of services

Keywords: Chemical Dependence, Criminal Justice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.