Implementing Substance Abuse Screening and Brief Motivational Intervention With Women in Jail

Abstract

This article presents a social work in-reach model for identifying women's substance abuse service needs while in jail and increasing their motivation and abilities to obtain services on reentry to the community. The authors describe important aspects of the Women and Jails Project and its development that can help inform social work practice in this area. Data are reported on the first 1,091 women participating in the project. Specific issues and practical suggestions for planning, conducting, and evaluating this type of in-reach intervention are examined. Implications for social work practice and future outcomes research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• community reentry
• jail
• motivational interviewing
• substance abuse screening
• women