Narconon Program reduces the number of criminals who return to crime

Addict Behind Bars

A study just released by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) shows a dramatic reduction in the rate of criminals returning to crime after completing an addiction treatment program.  The data shows that the number of offenders who participated in a drug rehab program that return to crime is almost half that of those who received no treatment.

This study comes after two decades of research into the effectiveness of drug rehabilitation in criminal offenders which has largely gone unheard.  Funding for efforts which allow offenders who are addicts, to receive needed treatment both in and out of prisons is being cut despite proof that treatment not incarceration is the most cost effective method of criminal rehabilitation.

Not every drug rehabilitation method is appropriate for this population.  A report released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, targeted to the criminal justice system, suggests that any comprehensive drug rehabilitation program offered to offenders should target factors that are associated with criminal behavior.

An excerpt from the report states:

“Criminal thinking” is a combination of attitudes and beliefs that support a criminal lifestyle and criminal behavior. These can include feeling entitled to have things one’s own way; feeling that one’s criminal behavior is justified; failing to be responsible for one’s actions; and consistently failing to anticipate or appreciate the consequences of one’s behavior. This pattern of thinking often contributes to drug use and criminal behavior. Treatment that provides specific cognitive skills training to help individuals recognize errors in judgment that lead to drug abuse and criminal behavior may improve outcomes.

The stigma associated with drug addiction often makes it difficult to convince judges and district attorneys that rehabilitation is indeed an effective means to deal with the drug problems facing their communities.

The Narconon program has long maintained that successful treatment can only be achieved through establishing comprehensive personal ethics.  The treatment program delivered by Narconon of Georgia is an excellent choice for anyone seeking an alternative to incarceration, as it stresses personal responsibility as the major component necessary for true recovery.