NCJ Number
89723
Date Published
1980
Length
107 pages
Annotation
The first part of this volume presents testimony and recommendations from a hearing that focused on the institutional drug abuse treatment programs of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and Part II examines the use of prescription drugs at five Federal institutions.
Abstract
Testimony at the hearing indicated that about 75 percent of Federal prisoners with drug abuse problems are not receiving treatment. Title II of the Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act of 1966 appears not to be an effective mechanism for providing drug abuse treatment to Federal offenders identified as narcotic addicts. Further, the lack of central office control over drug abuse treatment programs leads to widely different quality levels of treatment. The Bureau of Prisons should take steps to make drug abuse treatment available to all inmates regardless of length of sentence. Also, the Bureau of Prisons should revise its policies to provide standardization of substantive program content among drug abuse treatment units. The five institutions selected for a study of their use of prescription drugs were the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth and Federal correction institutions at Alderson, Terminal Island, El Reno, and Lexington. In addition to representing geographical diversity, these institutions represent a complete spectrum of security classifications. The preliminary data indicate a strong reliance on the use of major tranquilizers such that there may be a need for an independent review of prescribing practices at each of the institutions so as to formulate more comprehensive guidelines for the dispensing of controlled substances. Consideration should be given to limiting dosage strengths, establishing a central formulary stock inventory, and implementing a centralized, ongoing drug use model. Data related to the testimony and study are appended, along with materials received by the research staff.