Drug Abuse Treatment as an Alternative to Incarceration (DTAP)
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Residential - Mental health or therapeutic community services
Country of application
United States
Description

It is a treatment program in the therapeutic residential model for people deprived of their liberty who abuse drugs and have been sentenced for non-violent crimes.

The program's approach focuses on abstinence, avoiding relapse and adapting to independent living. The treatment takes place over 21 months and includes assessments, guidance, individual, group and family counseling sessions and vocational training for entering the job market.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies have shown that the program has led to a statistically significant reduction in recidivism, time to first arrest and re-arrest [1] [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Dynia, P. & Sung, H.‑E. (2000). The Safety and Effectiveness of Diverting Felony Drug Offenders to Residential Treatment as Measured by Recidivism. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 11(4), 299–311. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887403400011004002

[2] Belenko, S., Foltz, C., Lang, M. A. & Sung, H.‑E. (2004). Recidivism Among High-Risk Drug Felons. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 40(1-2), 105–132. https://doi.org/10.1300/J076v40n01_06

Information source