Abstract
The accuracy of drug counselors’ knowledge of their clients’ drug use was assessed to determine whether counselor reports might constitute adequate research and evaluation data. Ex-addict paraprofessionals, non-ex-addict paraprofessionals, and degreed professional counselors (N = 82) reported on the drug use by 302 methadone maintenance and drug-free outpatient clients, as did the clients themselves. Counselor nonresponse rates to individual drug category items were acceptably low (≤ 5%) for all but marijuana/hashish and over-the-counter drugs. Counselors’ estimates of drug use rates at a group level were relatively accurate. However, reliability coefficients reflecting accuracy on a case-by-case basis were lower than desirable for use in prediction schemes for individual clients. Ex-addicts were overall somewhat more accurate than the other counselor groups.