title: Drug court treatment for methamphetamine dependence: treatment response and posttreatment outcomes.
abstract: Relatively little is known about the impact of drug court treatment programs for methamphetamine (MA) dependence. This article examines treatment performance among a subsample of 287 MA-dependent adults who participated in the Methamphetamine Treatment Project from 1999 to 2001. To gain a preliminary indication of MA users' response to drug court intervention, we compared a group of 57 MA-dependent participants treated in outpatient treatment within the context of a drug court to a group of comparable MA-dependent individuals treated in outpatient treatment but not supervised by a drug court (n = 230). Analyses reveal that drug court participation was associated with better rates of engagement, retention, completion, and abstinence, compared to outpatient treatment without drug court supervision. Six- and 12-month outcome analyses indicated that participants who were enrolled in drug court intervention used MA significantly less frequently. These findings suggest that drug court supervision coupled with treatment may improve the outcomes of MA-dependent offenders beyond that seen from treatment alone.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. pattymc@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marinelli-Casey
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonzales
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hillhouse
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zweben
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Peggy Fulton
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hora
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rawson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D033222:Judicial Role; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine