Evidence-based Offender Substance Abuse Treatment

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Formula Grant Program (RSAT) assists states and local governments in developing and implementing substance abuse treatment programs in state and local correctional and detention facilities. The RSAT Program also assists states and local governments in creating and maintaining community-based aftercare services for offenders who are released from institutionally based substance abuse programs. Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Formula Grant funds may be used to implement three types of programs. At least 10 percent of the total state allocation for FY 2009 shall be made available to local correctional and detention facilities (provided such facilities exist) for either residential substance abuse treatment programs or jail-based substance abuse treatment programs as defined below.

The State of Hawaii, Department of the Attorney General, will use the FY 2009 RSAT funds to support a program enhancement project at the Department of Public Safety (PSD), Waiawa Correctional Facility. This treatment program is a state-funded program called KASHBOX (Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, Habits, Behaviors, Opinions and the X Factor), which is an intensive long-term (9-15 months) therapeutic community treatment program for those with serious substance abuse problems. The funds will be used to continue to operate the KASHBOX program based on a therapeutic community (TC) model.

The goals of the Hawaii RSAT Program are to reduce the rates of recidivism and relapse. Specific objectives of the program will include: 1) 80 percent of the participants will have negative urinalysis test results while in the program; 2) 80 percent of participants will successfully complete the program within one year of placement; 3) 90 percent of graduates will be referred to an aftercare program; 4) 80 percent of graduates will be placed in a work release/furlough program, community clean and sober housing, or on parole within 30 days of graduating. A learning environment will be created through which the following elements will be addressed: (1) Awareness by the inmate that the inmate is dependent on drugs or alcohol; (2) Education about the effects of substance abuse; (3) Integration of the individual's emotions, perceptions, attitudes, and values;(4) Development of a strategy for each individual for overcoming the obstacles to recovery; (5) Identification of situations that promote relapse and development of skills for relapse prevention; (6) Support from peers, staff, and family; and (7) Self-validation.

NCA/NCF