Substance abuse education programs for parolees offer a cost-effective means for changing parolee behavior. Due to the chronic nature of substance abuse the STAR program is not just informational, but designed to be interventional a process model embracing the concept that recovery is a process, not an event. The work parole agents do every day puts them in close contact with the parolee who alone cannot stop chronic abuse. It is believed the department has a substantial tool to fight this problem. The program's primary goal is to motivate substance abusers to participate in post-release recovery activities.
STAR introduces participants to information designed to facilitate substance abuse recovery.
The curriculum addresses denial and stimulates individual growth through active participation. A process model of instruction is used to help parolees develop a new understanding of their problem related to substance abuse. The parolee is motivated to make necessary life-style changes. This educational path facilitates disclosure and provides this motivation. It also is designed to help parolees understand thoughts, feelings and events that trigger relapse.