Bioethics in Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Number 1

31 Bioethics in Faith and Practice ⦁ 2019 ⦁ Volume 4 ⦁ Number 1 United States’ criminal justice system uses in order to combat the issue. Treatments such as therapeutic substitutes for incarceration, treatment with prison- and jail-based oversight, and reentry programs to help with transition from incarceration into society once again have all been utilized. 9 Cognitive therapies that help with coping and decision-making skills are some of the most effective therapies available, so behavioral treatments have been utilized in the past. The current state of the criminal justice system in regard to addicts and substance abusers does not allow much opportunity for treatment. Of state inmates, who make up the majority of incarcerated individuals, 15% of them received treatment for drug abuse, while more than 50% of them met the criteria for treatment. While many of the treatment options for addiction that can be utilized for offenders and are effective, a majority of prisons and jails do not, and many addicts continue to suffer as a result. 10 While the researchers don’t advocate for any strong changes in the justice system itself, they stress that unless the criminal justice system changes the way it reacts to addiction and opioid abuse, the problem will only continue to grow and incarceration rates will increase year after year. 11 Advocacy for Change in America Based on International Standards How drug addiction is handled in other countries 9 Kevin Knight, David Farabee, “Treating Addicted Offenders: A Continuum of Effective Practices,” Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute (2004) 10 Redonna Chandler, Bennett Fletcher, and Nora Volkow, “Treating Drug Abuse and Addiction in the Criminal Justice System: Improving Public Health and Safety,” JAMA 301, no. 2 (2009): 183-190 11 Ibid.