"To explore why some Proposition 36 offenders do not enter drug treatment, we analyzed self-reported and administrative data to compare the characteristics, perceptions, and rearrest rates of 124 untreated and 1,335 treated offenders assessed by 30 sites in five California counties. Offenders were comparable in many domains at assessment; however, untreated offenders were younger, not employed, more criminally severe, and less motivated for treatment," researchers in the United States report (see also Head and Neck Cancer).

"To avoid incarceration was the primary reason for choosing Proposition 36, but there were fewer Untreated offenders who felt ready for treatment (12.9% vs. 35.7%) and there were more who accepted the Proposition 36 program only upon recommendation by others (37.9% vs. 11.7%). Reasons for not entering treatment included rearrest (31.6%), no desire for treatment (23.9%), and assignment to a program that was too far away (11.1%). Both groups had fewer total arrests after assessment, but recidivism was higher among untreated offenders. Understanding untreated Proposition 36 offenders can aid efforts to improve treatment entry rates and related Outcomes," wrote E. Evans and colleagues, University of California, Medical Department.

The researchers concluded: "Published by Elsevier Inc."

Evans and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (Treatment entry barriers among California's Proposition 36 offenders. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2008;35(4):410-418).

For additional information, contact E. Evans, University of California, David Geffen School Medical, Dept. of Psychiatry & Biobehav Science, Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute Neuroscience & Human Behavioral, 1640 S Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment is: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.