DATE: April 19, 2005
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: THE SPEED INTO RECOVERY PILOT PROJECT
SUMMARY:
In excess of 75 percent of incarcerated individuals have substance
abuse problems, according to statistics cited by the San Diego County
Inmate Services Division of the Sheriff's Department. The Arrestee Drug
Abuse Monitoring Report (ADAM), which is conducted twice annually at several
San Diego County detention facilities, reveals more detailed data about
the popularity of drug use among those arrested for crimes in the region.
In 2003, an estimated four out of ten female arrestees tested positive
for methamphetamine according to ADAM data. Addiction specialists warn
that the illegal stimulant is particularly appealing to women because
it increases energy, produces feelings of confidence and suppresses the
appetite.
Currently, individuals suspected or convicted of crimes in San Diego County are offered a list of regional drug treatment facilities upon release from County detention facilities. Thanks to ADAM data, the opportunity exists to further refine our efforts to steer users into drug treatment. By creating a pamphlet expressly designed for female methamphetamine users, we can target a sizeable population of users, hasten their recovery from addiction, and perhaps decrease recidivism rates among lawbreakers. Today's action would allow for the development of that guide and create a distribution and monitoring plan to gauge its effectiveness.
Recommendations:
SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB, SHERIFF BILL KOLENDER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY BONNIE
M. DUMANIS
- Direct the CAO to work with the Sheriff's Department, Alcohol and Drug Services, the Probation Department and the Department of Media and Public Relations to develop a pamphlet designed to encourage female methamphetamine users to seek drug treatment and report back to the Board in 90 days.
- Direct the CAO to work with the Sheriff's Department and the Probation
Department to develop a distribution plan to ensure that the pamphlet
is provided to
all females upon release from all County-operated detention facilities and probation offices and report back to the Board in 90 days. - Direct the CAO to work with Alcohol and Drug Services to create a
tracking mechanism to gauge the pamphlets' effectiveness at steering
women into
treatment programs and report back to the Board in 90 days.
Fiscal Impact:
This action can be performed within exiting resources.
BACKGROUND
Illegal drug use and criminal activity go hand-in-hand. In excess of 75
percent of incarcerated individuals have substance abuse problems, according
to statistics cited by the Inmate Services Division of the San Diego County
Sheriff's Department. The San Diego County Probation Department estimates
that 65 percent of adults on probation have substance abuse problems.
The annual Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Report (ADAM), which is conducted
twice-annually at several San Diego County detention facilities, reveals
more detailed data about the popularity of drug use among those arrested
for crimes in the region. In 2003, an estimated four out of ten female
arrestees tested positive for methamphetamine at the time of arrest, according
to ADAM data. Addiction specialists warn that the illegal stimulant is
particularly appealing to women because it increases energy, produces
feelings of confidence and suppresses the appetite.
Currently, individuals suspected or convicted of crimes in San Diego County are provided a list of regional drug treatment facilities upon release from County detention facilities. Those incarcerated for 90 days or more are offered a variety of rehabilitative services prior to their release, including treatment for substance abuse. Convicted offenders with drug problems or a history of drug use are often referred to treatment programs by their probation officer.
Thanks to ADAM data, we know that an estimated 40 percent of female arrestees in our region have methamphetamine issues. The opportunity exists to further refine our efforts to steer these users into drug treatment. By creating a pamphlet strategically designed for female methamphetamine users, we can target a sizeable population of users, hasten their recovery from methamphetamine addiction, and perhaps decrease recidivism rates among lawbreakers. Such a guide should include contact information for residential and outpatient drug treatment facilities as well as information about childcare and domestic violence.
Over the years, San Diego County has tackled methamphetamine-related community problems with measurable successes. In 1996, the Board initiated the Methamphetamine Strike Force to combat methamphetamine-related community problems. The region's Methamphetamine Hotline lets anonymous callers report suspicious activities or seek treatment referrals 24 hours a day. The Strike Force has helped limit sales of over-the-counter ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine, and worked to expand the highly successful Drug Court program. In addition, the Strike Force has sought long-term, stable funding for the Drug Endangered Children program, which rescues children from dangerous drug homes.
Last year, the Board and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis in partnership with the Strike Force, hosted a conference to explore the relationship between women and meth. At that conference, treatment providers and law enforcement officials alike called for stepped up efforts to guide methamphetamine users, especially females, into treatment.
Although San Diego County has renounced its dubious title as the "Methamphetamine Capitol of the World" the drug remains the single illicit drug-of-choice among lawbreakers. It is our sincere belief that the creation of a treatment pamphlet for methamphetamine-using females upon release from County detention facilities will aid in the fight against the sinister stimulant.
We urge your support.
DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District
BILL KOLENDER
Sheriff
BONNIE M. DUMANIS
District Attorney
