NCJ Number
173901
Date Published
Unknown
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This survey, conducted to obtain information from national associations representing providers of services to offenders with co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness problems, used a semistructured interview guide that focused on activities for the target population, perceptions of critical issues hindering the effective care and treatment of the target population, and needed strategies for addressing these critical issues.
Abstract
Fourteen interviews with national associations in July 1995 showed few activities existed or were being planned for persons with co-occurring substance and mental illness in contact with the criminal justice system. Respondents tended to focus on issues influencing their particular systems, such as mental health, substance abuse, or criminal justice, rather than on issues cutting across systems. On the criminal justice side, considerable emphasis was placed on substance abuse programs but not on co-occurring disorders. Across the 14 national associations, five general areas surfaced most frequently as being important: coordinating and integrating services, responding to privatization and managed care, devising specific training tools, increasing consumer involvement, and identifying funding mechanisms. When asked about specific strategies to improve services for persons with co-occurring substance and mental illness, respondents indicated the importance of increasing linkages among existing resources and avoiding the duplication of existing communication modes. Respondents also expressed support for the establishment of a national center to coordinate services and resources. Supplemental information on the survey process is appended.