RESOLUTION ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE

WHEREAS, the membership of the Association of Paroling Authorities, International, recognizes that overwhelming evidence exists linking illegal drug use and alcohol abuse to criminal activity; and

WHEREAS, the Association has acknowledged that the substance-involved offender must learn to identify and correct problematic behavior and develop self-control over their addiction in order that the number of crimes they commit may be reduced; and

WHEREAS, it is recognized by drug and alcohol experts and criminal justice practitioners that chemical dependencytreatment provided to offenders must be evidence-based, measurable and have definable outcomes related to practical realities (recidivism, and victim satisfaction); and

WHEREAS, it is further recognized that treatment serves as a major vehicle for breaking the cycle of addiction and crime for the substance-involved offender and that substance abuse recovery is a difficult process requiring a wide range of sanctions, case management strategies and supervision, pro-social structure and services; and

WHEREAS, paroling authorities are positioned to requiretreatment and encourage use of relapse prevention strategies for the substance-involved offender through appropriate release and violation decision-making;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that paroling authorities promote the development of on-going support in natural communities, to serve as a tool to positively reinforce desired new behaviors in the substance-involved offender.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that paroling authorities support both the incorporation of substance abuse treatment in criminal sanctions and the effective use of the progressive sanction process, in an effort to facilitate treatment of the substance-involved offender as a risk-reduction and rehabilitative measure.

Adopted April 30, 2008