Example Of Drug Treatment Essay

Introduction

Drug treatment refers to the steps taken by medical experts to help the drug addicts to stop using harmful drugs. Treatment can be in many forms and can occur in various forms depending on the situation at hand. One time treatment for drug addicts is not enough because this chronic disorder is characterized by occasional lapses. The process is long term and it requires regular monitoring and guidance and counseling to the affected victims (MacKenzie, 2006).
Drug treatment is not the only effective method that can be used to reduce recidivism since recidivists continue to do crimes even after being punished by the relevant authorities. Although some methods like behavioral therapy and group therapy can reduce the rate of drug increase in the society, this methods need reinforcement by use of other methods like opening rehab centers and also guidance and counseling centers to cater for the needs of the addicts. Rehab centers will accommodate the drug addicts who feel discriminated in the society. The counselors and the doctors in the rehab centers will help their patients to make goals for themselves. Through the help of their loved ones they will be motivated to make a positive impact in their lives. In the rehab centers the doctors will educate the patients on the dangers of drug abuse and addiction thus enabling them to make wise choices that can change their life (Hertzman, 1994).
Drug courts are effective in diverting substance abusers from prison because it enables the courts to arrest the addicts on time and they are tested and then monitored on drug use. This reduces the number of drug abusers as many of them are put on probation (Chandler, Fletcher, & Volkow, 2009). As the addicts are put on probation they also undergo treatment and this diverts the substance abusers from courts because after probation the defendant can be released after they have changed their behavior. Also the court programs test the defendants regularly and the information regarding drug use by defendants is available to courts. This enables the courts to respond immediately thus reducing recidivism among graduates.

References

MacKenzie, D. L. (2006). What works in corrections: Reducing the criminal activities of offenders and delinquents. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0-521-00120-5
Hertzman, M. (1994). Drug treatment and criminal justice. Journal Of Substance Abuse Treatment, 11(6), 589. doi:10.1016/0740-5472(94)90012-4
Chandler, R. K., Fletcher, B. W., & Volkow, N. D. (2009). Treating Drug Abuse and Addiction in the Criminal Justice System: Improving Public Health and Safety. JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association, 301(2), 183–190. doi:10.1001/jama.2008.976