Does Drug Testing Deter Drug Court Participants From Using Drugs or Alcohol?

Abstract

This study evaluates 3 drug-testing strategies implemented in 5 different jurisdictions with drug courts in Orange County, California. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the sweat patch acts as a deterrent and under what conditions it can be used to improve outcomes. Results indicated that although the use of the sweat patch did not result in statistically significant higher retention or graduation rates, it was perceived to be equal to the use of urine analysis in deterrent effect. The effectiveness of testing as a deterrent for drug use will likely depend on the scheduled administration of the tests and the immediacy of rewards and sanctions for participants.

KEYWORDS:

• addicted offenders
• drug court
• drug testing

The authors with to acknowledge Libby Piper Deschenes, PhD, for her work in research design and data analysis in this study. The authors also wish to thank Lynn Fenton of the Superior Court of California, Orange County for the assistance provided in data collection. In addition, they would like to express their gratitude to all the team members of Orange County Drug Court for their participation in this evaluation. Funding for the Enhanced Services for Orange County's Drug Courts and this evaluation was provided by grant 2003-DC-BX-0005 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.