In the Mind's Eye

CC Pro — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:05:00 GMT

It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but, can a picture prompt a thousand urges? Through the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a team of researchers have found that drug-related images flashed for just 33 milliseconds to cocaine patients activated the limbic system, a brain network associated with reward and emotion. Dr, Nora Volkow, Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) said, "This is the first evidence that cues outside one's awareness can trigger rapid activation of the circuits driving drug-seeking behavior." For additional information on this study and its implications, click here.

Is the Substance Abuse Treatment Programming Provided by Correctional Agencies Effective?

CC Pro — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:50:00 GMT

The first national survey to examine the type and quality of substance abuse treatment programming used by correctional agencies yields some stark findings and recommendations. This survey systematically looked at substance abuse treatment programming provided for adult and juvenile offenders in prisons, jails, probation and parole, and other local community correctional agencies. The primary finding was the most frequently used substance abuse treatment programs are "unlikely to facilitate behavior change." Among the other findings:

Substance abuse treatment services are not readily available to all offenders
Fewer than 10% of adult offenders and approximately 20% of juvenile offenders receive the targeted treatment they require
Staff numbers and training for delivery of treatment services are inadequate
The length of treatment provided is less than recommended by research literature

For the brief on the survey conducted by the National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS), click here.

Thinking About Corrections : Substance Abuse

In the Mind's Eye

Is the Substance Abuse Treatment Programming Provided by Correctional Agencies Effective?