200708
Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
in the Criminal Justice System
POSITION STATEMENTS
Approved by the Board of Trustees, July 2007
Approved by the Assembly of District Branches, May 2007
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"Policy documents are approved by the APA Assembly and Board of Trustees… These are …position statements that define APA official policy on specific subjects…" APA Operations Manual |
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- All arrestees should be evaluated for the presence of substance use disorders and of withdrawal syndromes. Jails should be prepared either to provide quality treatment for alcohol and/or drug withdrawal and associated comorbidities, or to arrange timely transfer to an appropriate medical facility if detoxification services are not available on site. As with any other illness, when a person who is arrested is receiving prescribed medication for an addictive disorder, that medication should be continued until a comprehensive mental health evaluation has been performed and a new treatment plan provided.
- Prisons should make available quality treatment for substance use disorders to all inmates who qualify for such treatment. This should include psychiatric evaluation, treatment with appropriate medication and non-pharmacologic interventions, pre-release planning and adequate follow-up treatment on a residential or outpatient basis after release.
- For any parolee who has received prerelease substance abuse treatment, the continued cooperation in follow-up treatment should be a condition for continuation of parole.
- Courts established for diversion purposes, such as mental health courts, drug courts and driving while intoxicated courts, should assure that treatment recommended for participants in these programs follows the principles outlined in this position statement.