Structured Help or No Hope

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Substance abusers are being placed into incarceration for association with illegal drugs, where they then serve their time and are only realized back into the public with no help. Many prisons across the nation are experiencing an overcrowding in the prison population based on the sole fact that there has been an increase in arrests for minor offenses. Many studies have been conducted comparing treatments in prison versus treatment facilities outside of the prison gates, finding that those who undergo substance abuse treatment in a privately owned facility, tend to do better in treatment and are more likely to stay clean. The current study looks and examines the viewpoints of the general public on the topic of whether substance abusers should be seen as criminal and be incarcerated or if they should be seen as mental health patients and be placed into treatment facilities.

Author

• Vanessa Faye Rinker, University of Central Florida