Love, Hope, and Random Drug Testing: 'Radical' Strategies for Turning Lives Around.

AuthorBroderick, Susan

THE NATION is in the midst of the worst addiction crisis in its history. The Center for Disease Control's most recent report revealed that the rate of drug overdose deaths has increased 137% since 2000, including a 200% increase involving opioids (CDC 2016). People are cycling in and out of treatment and both families and communities are desperate to find new ways to respond to the crisis.

While some argue that we can't arrest our way out of this epidemic, I truly believe that the justice system plays a critical role in how we respond to it. As a former prosecutor, I know that a referral to the justice system can be a motivating force to initiate change. As a woman in long-term recovery, I also know that very often change can be sustained by offering people hope and positive support.

My recommendation is a simple, yet important one: use the leverage of the justice system to turn lives around and get people back on track, not destroy their lives.

Given the crime and public safety concerns generated by compulsive addictive behaviors, the justice system will play a role in responding to this epidemic and I believe it can actually play a transformative role in helping to alleviate this crisis. It can provide the unique leverage and access to treatment that can mark the beginning of recovery. In fact, research confirms the criminal justice system can serve as the motivational fulcrum that can aid treatment retention, improve rates of remission, and decrease relapse and rearrest over the long-term (Kelly, Finney, Moos, 2005).

Anyone recovering from an alcohol or drug addiction will tell you that they didn't make the decision to get sober because their life was great. They made the decision because of consequences and/or negative outcomes associated with their use. Very often an arrest or referral to court will be the "bottom" for many individuals with an alcohol or other drug use disorder that will initiate a willingness to change. Research has confirmed that the most common reason cited for getting sober was "escalating negative consequences" (Laudet, 2007).

What we need to do is to work with those in the justice system to make sure we are doing all that we can to sustain that motivation to change. How do we do this? While there is no single answer, an important component involves providing those on the front lines with a greater understanding of the true nature of addiction and how to best prevent, intervene and support recovery from the...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT