Indicators of Criminality During Treatment for Drug Abuse

Abstract

Many studies have pointed to a sharp reduction in criminal activities upon entry into drug treatment programs [1, 2], as well as to a generally low ebb of criminal behavior during treatment. The present study sought to add to such findings by taking a close look at several indicators of criminality in a sample of 3483 outpatients who were followed for the first 6 to 12 months in methadone maintenance or drug-free treatment programs at 31 different agencies participating in the Drug Abuse Reporting Program [3]. The data available on each patient, admitted during a one-year period starting June 1, 1971, consisted of an Admission Record and bimonthly status reports.