Role of Law Enforcement in Substance Treatment

Addiction is a disease characterized by denial, and consequently, resistance to treatment. Research demonstrates that addicts who enter treatment without the coercion of law enforcement are less successful than those who are ordered by the court into substance abuse treatment. Addiction restructures the brain into serving the needs of the addiction, rather than those of the newly recovering person, therefore, early recovery attempts are characterized by impulsive cravings for the drug that are difficult to resist. The added incentive of knowing relapse could lead to incarceration often determines successful treatment outcomes. Research has shown that treatment does not have to be voluntary to be effective.

Early signs of abuse

• Early signs of alcohol and drug abuse often involve legal problems. DUI incidents, and drug possession arrests may be the first indication family members have that a loved one is on the fringes of addiction to alcohol or other drugs. Often legal complications begin during the early stages of substance abuse, before addiction has actually developed. Informed and concerned law enforcement officers can play a major role in prevention of substance abuse, and addiction, as well as in bringing addicts into recovery programs.

Prevention

• Law enforcement officers, and programs, can be effective as agents of prevention of alcohol and other drug abuse. The Douglas County Police Department, working from an Atlanta, Georgia, suburb, has been instrumental in forming a methamphetamine task force for the prevention and education of the public through a program that includes a short educational movie titled "Chrystal Death." The video educates viewers on the horrors involved in methamphetamine addiction and abuse.

Domestic Violence

• Law enforcement officers are often called to the scene of domestic violence. While substance abuse is not the direct cause of, nor an excuse for domestic violence, there is a documented, strong relationship between the two. Alcohol abuse is often present during events of domestic violence and is more likely to be involved in the severe cases of domestic violence. Alert and aware law enforcement officers can recognize and act on the instances in which substance abuse treatment is needed for one or both persons involved in the crime.

Drug Courts & Prison Treatment Programs

• $38 billion is spent annually on the incarceration of criminals in prisons and jails, $30 billion of which is spent housing people guilty of alcohol and drug related crimes, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Drug court programs designed to treat drug-addicted criminals outside of jails and prisons are cost effective, and effective as recovery programs because addicts know that incarceration will be the consequence of failure to comply to program rules and requirements. Treatment programs within prison systems are also effective, and offer inmates opportunities to learn how to live drug free.

Probation & Parole Officers

• Probation and parole officers are in excellent positions to enforce alcohol and drug substance abuse treatment on convicted criminals who wish to remain outside of jails and prisons. Statistics support the belief that court-ordered treatment is effective, and that voluntary submission to treatment is not necessary in order for it to work. In fact, coercion often works better than relying on an addict's resolve, which tends to be temporary because of the nature of addiction. Probation and parole officers have the authority to order drug treatment and consistent urine tests.