ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES JAIL-BASED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM

In an effort to provide offenders with substance abuse resources and treatment, New Hampshire Department of Justice has awarded five counties with federal grant funds to implement jail-based substance abuse treatment programming. This program stems from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) programs.

“The U.S. criminal justice system reports 80% of all offenders having substance abuse problems, with the need for drug treatment evident,” said Attorney General Ayotte. “RSAT programs foster a partnership between correctional staff and the treatment community to create programs in secure settings that help offenders overcome their substance abuse problems and prepare for reentry into society.”

Out of the 12,700 offenders in New Hampshire indicating that they have an alcohol or drug dependency problem, only 4,700 receive treatment other than voluntary Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The jail-based substance abuse program aims to improve this by offering offenders treatment for at least three months from activities in an individual and group setting.

RSAT funds are currently being used to support substance abuse treatment programs at the Youth Development Center for both the male and female population. The male portion of this population has received treatment since 1999. The female population was recently afforded entry into this program.