Objective: The Target City Project was a nation-wide program designed to encourage adoption of Central Intake procedures by publicly-funded alcohol and drug abuse treatment agencies. A related goal was to facilitate provision of substance abuse treatment to offenders. This paper presents outcomes of the Portland Target City Project. Methods: Subjects were adults who presented for evaluation at substance abuse treatment programs in the greater Portland, Oregon area during 1994 and 1995 (prior to Target City’s centralized intake and referral procedures) or in 1997 (after implementation). Participants were interviewed at baseline and six and 12 months thereafter using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). The pre- and post- cohorts’ data were examined using hierarchical linear models to predict zero versus non-zero ASI alcohol or drug scores, respectively, while adjusting for confounders. Results: There were 328 subjects in the pre-cohort (42% female, age 34, 67% white) and 228 in the post-cohort (31% female, age 34, 53% white). Some (37%) of the pre-cohort had been incarcerated in the month prior to baseline interview compared with the majority (65%) of the post-cohort (p < .0001 by chi-squared test). The models showed significant improvement over time for both alcohol and drug scores but the cohort by time interaction terms were not significant. Conclusions: There was no evidence that the centralized intake and referral procedures supported by the Target City Project led to improved outcomes. On the other hand, the program may well have facilitated linkages between the criminal justice and substance abuse treatment systems.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the concept of Centralized Intake as implemented in the national Target City Project; 2. Discuss alcohol and drug abuse outcomes for clients of the Portland Target City Project; and 3. Summarize the influence of the Target City Project on provision of alcohol and drug abuse treatment services to offenders.
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Drug Abuse Treatment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Consultant