Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Outcome evaluations were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies focusing on diversion and aftercare programmes were included. Studies focusing only on drug treatment, policy or education, mental health issues, pharmaceutical diversions, substance abuse programmes, or instrument validation were excluded. The diversion studies evaluated included drug court programmes and mixed treatment options that included in-patient services, residential programmes or out-patient services. The aftercare study intervention comprised counselling, case-management, skills building for employment, HIV prevention, crisis intervention and peer support.
Participants included in the review
Studies of drug-involved offenders were eligible for inclusion. Studies of only addicted health workers, non-drug-related crime, or domestic violence were excluded. The included studies recruited adult offenders with substance abuse problems, mostly comprising cocaine, heroin and marijuana.
Outcomes assessed in the review
No inclusion criteria relating to the outcomes were stated. The main outcomes were crime recidivism rates, substance use and psychological functioning.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
One reviewer screened titles and abstracts, with ambiguous studies being discussed with a second reviewer. Two reviewers applied the inclusion criteria to full papers and resolved any differences through discussion.