Evaluating A Drug Testing and Graduated Sanctions Program in Delaware: A Randomized Trial

This field experiment will evaluate the 'Decide Your Time' program in the Hare Corner Probation Office in New Castle, DE. New probationers who test positive for drugs will be randomly assigned to standard probation versus a structured program including testing, sanctions and rewards, and treatment referral. Analyses will be based on: criminal history and other archival data for 400 program and 400 'control' group probationers; drug use and other interview data for 100 randomly selected probation 'successes' and 'failures' at followup; and program process, fidelity, and cost information. Work products include findings on the impact of structured programming on relapse and recidivism among probationers who use drugs, and a manual that documents program implementation.

ca/ncf