AG 1999 03 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CABARRUS COUNTY DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Through the efforts of the Criminal Justice Partnership Act enacted by the General Assembly in 1993, it was recognized that there was a high rate of substance abuse and dependency among defendants within the legal system. This problem was further complicated by a variety of problems that included issues such as a lack of uniformity in treatment requirements. There was also no specialized focus on addicted offenders. A sense of frustration by court personnel in dealing with individuals who committed crimes strictly to benefit their addictions was also a complicating and real problem; and there was a shortage in treatment programs that were cost-effective and focused on offenders and their particular problems. A model to address the needs of the substance abuse offender was developed and tried with varying degrees of success throughout North Carolina and other states. The goal established was to reduce drug and alcohol dependence, criminality and incarceration of substance addicted offenders through treatment programs that offered a full range of services from assessment to the needs of the significant others in the family These programs came into existence with the help of many individuals in the community dedicated to the field of addictions. As the evidence suggests, it is imperative that all judicial branches offer drug treatment to offenders. The courts deal with more severe crimes and longer jail time if offenders are violated. Treatment options provides more incentive for the offender to embrace recovery and hopefully remain out of the court system. It is the purpose and intent of our agency to offer and provide if selected, quality professional treatment to all individuals referred to the program, and smoothly interface with the court system to assure the continuity of care and management of clients Since we are currently in our second year providing the substance abuse component to the Structured Day Program, in Mecklenburg County through the Criminal Justice Partnership Program, we are comfortable and familiar with the Superior Court offender. SAIL is capable of efficiently and effectively facilitating the start-up of this program should our agency be awarded this contract, We are excited by the possible opportunity to develop a program from the beginning taking into account the previous experiences of the existing programs and our Structured Day treatment component. With this information and the guidance of the Advisory Board, SAIL stands ready to cooperate and utilize this wealth of knowledge to administer a high quality treatment program. Research suggests that possibly 60% of the substance abuse population have an underlying mental health problem. For example, bi'-polar disorder one of many mental illnesses is closely associated with substance abuse. Studies have shown that one-half of patients with bi-polar disorder have a secondary diagnosis ora substance abuse disorder In addition, those treated with appropriate medications have a lower substance abuse