Delaware KEY/Crest Substance Abuse Programs
Problems addressed
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a program for treating incarcerated individuals with problems associated with drug abuse. The aim is to change the negative patterns of behavior, thinking, and feelings that predispose the individual to the abusive use of psychoactive substances.
1) At the primary level, closed prisoners are assisted through access to behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focusing first on changing behavior and then emotion;
2) At the secondary level, inmates in work-release units are cared for through occupational inclusion and the continuation of drug treatment in the community;
3) The tertiary level serves those on parole or community supervision, who usually work during the day and return in the evening to the designated center for therapy, counseling, or treatment.
Finally, a process of adaptation to life in freedom is carried out, which includes: release, assessment and orientation, finding a job and keeping it.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that, after the three-year follow-up period, 23% of the participants were more likely to be drug-free compared to 6% of the comparison group; and 43% of the participants were not arrested again, compared to 30% of the comparison group; however, this latter result did not show a statistically significant impact [1].
In another study, the authors found that those who completed the program and received follow-up care were less likely to be arrested or abuse drugs again [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Martin, S. S., Butzin, C. A., Saum, C. A., & Inciardi, J. A. (1999). Three-year outcomes of therapeutic community treatment for drug-involved offenders in Delaware: From prison to work release to aftercare. The Prison Journal, 79(3), 294-320. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032885599079003002

[2] Martin, S. S., Butzin, C. A., & Inciardi, J. A. (1995). Assessment of a multistage therapeutic community for drug-involved offenders. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 27(1), 109-116. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1995.10471679

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