Prison-based drug treatment has been shown to be an effective means of controlling drug use and recidivism. Intensive treatment programs, such as therapeutic communities and aftercare, are especially effective for serious offenders who are serving long-term jail and prison sentences. Studies also indicate that drug courts can function as alternatives to prison and effectively coerce non-violent, first offenders into treatment. These programs have demonstrated that closely supervised, court-ordered rehabilitation can be successful in reducing drug use, and freeing prison space for serious and violent offenders. Effective and timely treatment will allow the United States to intervene early in the cycle of addiction.
Early intervention is critical in order to reach youths, who stand to benefit from treatment.
This is also the most efficient way to conduct business. Intervention as early as possible in the drug use continuum simplifies the task of the treatment provider and makes treatment less expensive and more successful. The drug user has had less time for the more insidious effects of drug use to take hold. At this stage, criminal behaviors are less entrenched, other high-risk behaviors are less ingrained, general health is better, and recovery and rehabilitation are less problematic.