U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice ProgramsNational Institute of Justice

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

OFF ICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS

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Arrestee DrugAbuse MonitoringProgram

Arrestee DrugAbuse MonitoringProgram

Arrestee DrugAbuse MonitoringProgram

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

National Institute of Justice

Washington, DC 20531

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300

PRESORTED STANDARD

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

DOJ/NIJ

PERMIT NO. G–91

BC 000619 Program Brief Program Brief Program Brief
 (ADAM) Program 

al Institute of Justice 

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because arrestees are more likely than household respondentsand school populations to be heavily involved with drugs.Applications of ADAMADAM helps law enforcement, treatment, prevention, and otherprofessionals understand the dynamics of local drug epidemics.The ADAM interview provides information on how arresteesacquire drugs, how they contact sellers, and how frequently theypurchase drugs. From this information, law enforcement agenciescan develop a better understanding of the impact that local interventions are having. In addition, treatment planners will receiveinformation on alcohol and illicit drug dependency and the needfor treatment among local arrestees. This information can beused to plan specific local treatment measures.OperationsAt each ADAM site, a representative sample of arrestees isapproached and asked to participate in the study by trained interviewers who will administer voluntary, anonymous interviewsand collect urine specimens. In most sites, more than 80 percentof the individuals approached agree to the interview. Of those,more than 80 percent agree to provide urine specimens. Data collection takes place quarterly at each site, with collectionperiods for any single population (male, female, or juvenile) generally lasting 1–2 consecutive weeks in a quarter. Data collectionsfor the different populations do not necessarily run concurrently.Although most ADAM sites are known by the name of thelargest city in the area, the boundaries (or catchment area) ofmost sites encompass substantially larger areas than just thecities. In most cases, the catchment area is the county. SomeStates, such as Alaska, do not have counties or similar units ofgovernment. In these cases, the catchment area is defined by thecity or municipal boundaries.AddendaSupplemental interviews can be added to assist with planning on awide range of other topics concerning arrestees. These specializedquestionnaires (called addenda) offer valuable insights intoarrestees’ attitudes about specific topics that policymakers want toaddress. Examples of addenda administered at ADAM sites includethe reported use and acquisition of firearms; production, acquisition, and use of specific drugs (e.g., methamphetamine, heroin,marijuana, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine); gang behavior andparticipation; prevalence of domestic violence; and HIV testing patterns, access-to-care issues, and risk reduction practices.

OutreachEach ADAM site collects outreach data annually. Thissupplementary data collection is directed at special populations (e.g., suburban, rural, Native American, or juvenilepopulations) within a State. The objective is to focus on a different population each year, gathering information not ordinarily captured about arrested populations duringthe regular ADAM data collection process. This outreachmoves data collection into areas where information onsubstance abuse is lacking and where a critical policy need for such information exists.Local Coordinating CouncilsA Local Coordinating Council (LCC) is established ateach ADAM site to facilitate local use of the ADAM data.Each LCC is key to the success of the ADAM Programbecause it helps the community meet local needs, assistsin the dissemination of locally relevant findings, andestablishes and uses the program’s outreach component. Drug TestingAll ADAM sites are required to test for a core panel ofdrugs, including amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, phencyclidine (PCP), and opiates. However, a total of 11 drugscan be tested so that communities can customize the panelto test for drugs that are particularly important in theirarea. Other drugs that can be tested are alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, propoxyphene, andmethaqualone. The selection of additional drugs for testingvaries depending on the particular site and research purpose.

ADAM Research InformingPolicymakers

The benefits of the ADAM Program are derived from theaccess to data for use in local policy planning. The ADAMProgram generates locally relevant and statistically reliabledata on crime, drugs, health, and treatment issues as theyrelate to the arrestee population. ADAM fosters the development of partnerships with researchers and facilitateslocal coordination and specialized research on drug-relatedissues of concern to local communities.

ch Partnerships to Strengthen Local & National Social Policy