[Evaluation of educational effects on drug dependence abstinence for convicts]

The object of this study is to evaluate the educational effects of group work sessions on drug dependence abstinence for convicts in Fukui Prison. Questionnaire surveys were conducted among participants on the first and last session. The results of surveys were analyzed quantitatively. The average ages of 50 respondents were 39 years. 95.9% of them used methamphetamine among drugs and the majority has used drugs for the past 5 years. 93.9% of respondents had no medical treatment histories and 95.8% of them have not used any formal consultations. The survey result before the sessions showed that 75.5% of respondents showed positive stances towards participations on educational group work sessions. The survey after the sessions showed 67.4% of respondents were able to talk their drug problems in group meetings and 87.0% responded that group work sessions were helpful for solving drug problems. Also, 80.0% responded that they can stop using drugs and the percentage dropped by 11.0% from the first session. In terms of the participation in self-help groups after releases from the prison, the majority responded negatively, although 78.0% showed positive responses to using consultation services. The outcomes by means of evaluation scale also showed a significant improvement on denial and no relevant change on interpersonal trusts. This study revealed that it was possible to confirm the effectiveness of drug abstinence education through group work. It is important to consider three points in further studies; 1) cooperation between judicial and medical institutions for introducing consultation and medical treatments among convicts; 2) follow-up programs for reinforcing education on drug abstinence; 3) social welfare services in cooperation with educational effects to prevent repeated offences.