Substance abuse treatment options: a federal initiative

Pervasive drug enforcement efforts and new federal sentencing guidelines have led to an increase in substance abusers entering the federal prisons. Although the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has been committed to providing substance abuse treatment since the 1960s, a comprehensive expansion of its programs was necessary so that quality services could be provided for the growing drug-offender population. This article describes the BOP's six-part drug treatment strategy, which includes screening, education, residential treatment, nonresidential treatment, transitional treatment, and evaluation. The programs entail a biopsychosocial model and a multiphasic approach to comply with the BOP's goal of preparing inmates for a successful reentry into the community, free from criminal and substance-abusing behaviors.