NCJ Number
8020
Date Published
Unknown
Length
242 pages
Annotation
A CROSS SECTION OF PATIENTS WAS STUDIED TO DETERMINE CHANGES IN SOCIAL FUNCTIONING IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT, AND FAMILY INTERACTION.
Abstract
DATA INDICATES THAT PATIENTS WHO DO NOT STAY ON THE PROGRAM ARE EXPERIENCING MORE SERIOUS DIFFICULTY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT OFFENSES WHICH LEAD TO INCARCERATION. METHADONE PATIENTS ARE BECOMING LESS TROUBLESOME WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. METHADONE TREATMENT CAN BE A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN REDUCING INCIDENTS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR WHICH DOES OCCUR. MASSIVE CHANGES IN LIFE STYLE DO NOT OCCUR IMMEDIATELY, THEY TAKE TIME, AND THEY MAY EVEN BE PRECIPITATED BY INCREASED EVIDENCE OF MISBEHAVIOR AS AN ACCOMPANIMENT TO BREAKING UP OLD SYSTEMS OF RELATIONSHIPS. LIFE STYLE CHANGES ALSO TAKE A DEGREE OF PERSEVERANCE WHICH MAY NOT COME EASILY TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS NOT BEEN TRAINED TO POSTPONE GRATIFICATION OF HIS NEEDS. INDIVIDUALS WHO STAY ON THE PROGRAM ARE BECOMING LEGITIMATE WAGE-EARNERS, AND CONTINUING AS SUCH, WHILE THOSE LEAVING THE PROGRAM ARE SIMPLY NOT PERFORMING IN THE LEGITIMATE JOB MARKET. APPENDED MATERIAL INCLUDES SAMPLES OF THE QUESTIONNAIRES AND FORMS USED IN THE STUDY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)