Question: In drug-using offenders with co-occurring mental illness how effective are psychological and non-psychological interventions for reducing criminal activity or drug use, or both?

Answer:

One well-conducted systematic review of 5 studies found no evidence for an effect on self-reported drug use or re-arrest but there was some evidence to suggest a reduction in re-incarceration. The trials evaluated case management, therapeutic communities and motivational interviewing with cognitive skills and were conducted in secure settings and the court judicial system in the USA; no studies evaluated interventions in community settings (parole or probation). There was no evidence on the effect of pharmacological interventions.

To view the full summary, click the green Download Document link to the right.

To view the Cochrane review, click the link under Related Documents  below.

For relevant NICE guidelines, click the link under Related Links below.