title: Ethnic differences in utilization of drug treatment services and outcomes among Proposition 36 offenders in California.
abstract: This study examined whether ethnic differences exist in access to care, receipt of services, and associated outcomes of 1,057 offenders participating in California's Proposition 36. Data are based on intake and 3-month follow-up interviews conducted as part of a multisite prospective treatment outcome study. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine ethnicity and other predictors of treatment placement and services intensity. Across ethnic groups, services intensity in several domains was inadequately matched to need, and few services besides substance abuse treatment were provided. Blacks and Hispanics received alcohol and employment services that were not commensurate with their greater need. Although Blacks were more likely to be placed in residential programs, their employment status worsened from intake to follow-up. There were few other ethnic differences in outcomes. Assessing and eliminating ethnic-associated differences in health service delivery, even as moderate as our findings revealed, may improve program processes and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA 91803, USA.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fosados
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Yih-Ing
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Hser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D002140:California; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American