The Effectiveness of Compulsory Drug Treatment: A Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Int J Drug Policy

Publisher Elsevier

Specialties Psychiatry
Public Health

Date 2016 Jan 22

PMID 26790691

Citations 60

Authors

D Werb

A Kamarulzaman

M C Meacham

C Rafful

B Fischer

S A Strathdee

E Wood

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Despite widespread implementation of compulsory treatment modalities for drug dependence, there has been no systematic evaluation of the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of compulsory drug treatment.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies assessing the outcomes of compulsory treatment. We conducted a search in duplicate of all relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature evaluating compulsory treatment modalities. The following academic databases were searched: PubMed, PAIS International, Proquest, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Soc Abstracts, JSTOR, EBSCO/Academic Search Complete, REDALYC, SciELO Brazil. We also searched the Internet, and article reference lists, from database inception to July 15th, 2015. Eligibility criteria are as follows: peer-reviewed scientific studies presenting original data. Primary outcome of interest was post-treatment drug use. Secondary outcome of interest was post-treatment criminal recidivism.

Results: Of an initial 430 potential studies identified, nine quantitative studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies evaluated compulsory treatment options including drug detention facilities, short (i.e., 21-day) and long-term (i.e., 6 months) inpatient treatment, community-based treatment, group-based outpatient treatment, and prison-based treatment. Three studies (33%) reported no significant impacts of compulsory treatment compared with control interventions. Two studies (22%) found equivocal results but did not compare against a control condition. Two studies (22%) observed negative impacts of compulsory treatment on criminal recidivism. Two studies (22%) observed positive impacts of compulsory inpatient treatment on criminal recidivism and drug use.

Conclusion: There is limited scientific literature evaluating compulsory drug treatment. Evidence does not, on the whole, suggest improved outcomes related to compulsory treatment approaches, with some studies suggesting potential harms. Given the potential for human rights abuses within compulsory treatment settings, non-compulsory treatment modalities should be prioritized by policymakers seeking to reduce drug-related harms.

Citing Articles

Rehabilitative measures as a legal response for adolescents convicted for drug offences: The Swedish system.

Glad J, Berlin M, Backman O, Forkby T, Wallin G Nordisk Alkohol Nark. 2025; 42(1):57-79.

PMID: 39759031 PMC: 11696937. DOI: 10.1177/14550725241295469.

"When she's there, I no longer worry about her being arrested"-Family perspectives on compulsory drug rehabilitation in Vietnam and implications for community-based services.

Trang N, Giang L, Hoe H, Anh N, Thuy D, Bart G Int J Drug Policy. 2024; 135():104681.

PMID: 39719810 PMC: 11748025. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104681.

Use and perceptions of involuntary civil commitment among post-overdose outreach staff in Massachusetts, United States: A mixed-methods study.

Cummins E, Walley A, Xuan Z, Yan S, Schoenberger S, Formica S Addiction. 2024; 120(2):327-334.

PMID: 39467382 PMC: 11711003. DOI: 10.1111/add.16690.

Views and experiences of involuntary civil commitment of people who use drugs in Massachusetts (Section 35).

Silcox J, Rapisarda S, Hughto J, Vento S, Case P, Palacios W Drug Alcohol Depend. 2024; 263:112391.

PMID: 39167986 PMC: 11849197. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112391.

Association between socioeconomic and motherhood characteristics with receiving community-based treatment services among justice-involved young female drug users: a retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

Chen C, Hsieh T, Rei W, Huang C, Wang S Harm Reduct J. 2024; 21(1):109.

PMID: 38840179 PMC: 11151603. DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01010-0.

References

Israelsson M, Gerdner A . Compulsory commitment to care of substance misusers: international trends during 25 Years. Eur Addict Res. 2012; 18(6):302-21. DOI: 10.1159/000341716. View

Larney S, Dolan K . Compulsory detoxification is a major challenge to harm reduction in China. Int J Drug Policy. 2009; 21(3):165-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.05.001. View

Cooper H, Moore L, Gruskin S, Krieger N . The impact of a police drug crackdown on drug injectors' ability to practice harm reduction: a qualitative study. Soc Sci Med. 2005; 61(3):673-84. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.12.030. View

Birgden A, Grant L . Establishing a compulsory drug treatment prison: Therapeutic policy, principles, and practices in addressing offender rights and rehabilitation. Int J Law Psychiatry. 2010; 33(5-6):341-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2010.09.006. View

Gowing L, Ali R, White J . Buprenorphine for the management of opioid withdrawal. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004; (4):CD002025. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002025.pub2. View

Mendelevich V . Bioethical differences between drug addiction treatment professionals inside and outside the Russian Federation. Harm Reduct J. 2011; 8:15. PMC: 3123191. DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-8-15. View

Garcia A . Serenity: Violence, Inequality, and Recovery on the Edge of Mexico City. Med Anthropol Q. 2015; 29(4):455-72. DOI: 10.1111/maq.12208. View

Beletsky L, Lozada R, Gaines T, Abramovitz D, Staines H, Vera A . Syringe confiscation as an HIV risk factor: the public health implications of arbitrary policing in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. J Urban Health. 2012; 90(2):284-98. PMC: 3675719. DOI: 10.1007/s11524-012-9741-3. View

Reid G, Kamarulzaman A, Sran S . Malaysia and harm reduction: the challenges and responses. Int J Drug Policy. 2007; 18(2):136-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2006.12.015. View

10.

Wu Z, Sullivan S, Wang Y, Rotheram-Borus M, Detels R . Evolution of China's response to HIV/AIDS. Lancet. 2007; 369(9562):679-90. PMC: 7137740. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60315-8. View

11.

Kelly J, Finney J, Moos R . Substance use disorder patients who are mandated to treatment: characteristics, treatment process, and 1- and 5-year outcomes. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2005; 28(3):213-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2004.10.014. View

12.

Fairbairn N, Hayashi K, Ti L, Kaplan K, Suwannawong P, Wood E . Compulsory drug detention and injection drug use cessation and relapse in Bangkok, Thailand. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2014; 34(1):74-81. DOI: 10.1111/dar.12206. View

13.

Strauss S, Falkin G . The first week after drug treatment: the influence of treatment on drug use among women offenders. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2001; 27(2):241-64. DOI: 10.1081/ada-100103708. View

14.

Lozano-Verduzco I, Marin-Navarrete R, Romero-Mendoza M, Tena-Suck A . Experiences of Power and Violence in Mexican Men Attending Mutual-Aid Residential Centers for Addiction Treatment. Am J Mens Health. 2015; 10(3):237-49. DOI: 10.1177/1557988314565812. View

15.

Ferri M, Davoli M, Perucci C . Heroin maintenance for chronic heroin-dependent individuals. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011; (12):CD003410. PMC: 7017638. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003410.pub4. View

16.

Wolfe D, Carrieri M, Dasgupta N, Wodak A, Newman R, Bruce R . Concerns about injectable naltrexone for opioid dependence. Lancet. 2011; 377(9776):1468-70. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62056-9. View

17.

Amon J, Pearshouse R, Cohen J, Schleifer R . Compulsory drug detention centers in China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos: health and human rights abuses. Health Hum Rights. 2014; 15(2):124-37. View

18.

Beletsky L, Heller D, Jenness S, Neaigus A, Gelpi-Acosta C, Hagan H . Syringe access, syringe sharing, and police encounters among people who inject drugs in New York City: a community-level perspective. Int J Drug Policy. 2013; 25(1):105-11. PMC: 3842392. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.06.005. View

19.

Grabowski J, Rhoades H, Schmitz J, Stotts A, Daruzska L, Creson D . Dextroamphetamine for cocaine-dependence treatment: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2001; 21(5):522-6. DOI: 10.1097/00004714-200110000-00010. View

20.

Bluthenthal R, Kral A, Lorvick J, Watters J . Impact of law enforcement on syringe exchange programs: a look at Oakland and San Francisco. Med Anthropol. 1998; 18(1):61-83. DOI: 10.1080/01459740.1997.9966150. View