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Forensic psychology: Part 4: Assessing offender populations: Appendix chapter 13

Appendix A

Program and Service Strategies in Relation to the Risk Continuum

Adapted from Ontario Ministry of Health. (1990). Drugs in Ontario. Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation.

Appendix B

Relationship of Alcohol and Drug Abuse to Criminal Offence

Lightfoot and Hodgins, 1988.

Appendix C

A Checklist for Forensic Substance Abuse Assessment
1) Quantity-Frequency Data

Amount and frequency of use of alcohol and other substances. Frequency:
none = 0
1-2/wk =1
2-3/wk = 2
3-4/wk = 3
4-5/wk = 4
6-7/wk = 5

Amount:
0 doses * = 0
1-2 doses = 1
2-3 doses = 2
3-4 doses = 3
5 + doses = 4

Score 0 - 20
2) Alcohol Problem Index

Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (Selzer, 1971).
3) Drug Problem Index

Drug Abuse Screening Test (Skinner, 1982).
4) Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS-25) (Skinner & Horn, 1984).
5) Collateral Interview

Collateral Interview Form (Miller & Marlatt, 1984). Mass-administered to spouse or family member using the third person pronoun.
6) Criminal History

Number of offences directly involving alcohol/drugs (impaired driving, criminal negligence causing death). Number of offences where substance use is implicated in police report/court transcripts.
7) Index Offence

Evidence of substance involvement in current offence from police report/ court transcripts:
0 = no evidence
1 = some eye-witness testimony
2= blood/breath tests confirm alcohol/other
8) Psychopathology

MMPI-II; GHQ.
9) Cognitive Function

Trail Making Test (Halstead Reitan, 1958).
Digit Symbol (WAIS-R).

* Dose for alcohol would be equivalent to 1 standard drink = 17 ml, absolute alcohol. Dose is very difficult to determine for other psychoactive drugs. Dose for other substances would be related to typical unit of use, e.g. grams heroin/cocaine, use, etc.

Appendix D

Typology of Substance Abusing Offenders

  1. Drug abusers: This type of offender is characterized as a multi-problem client, who is heavily involved in a criminal lifestyle, and who primarily reports problems with drugs. Their mean scores on the DAST (a drug abuse screening test) fell in the substantial range and the self-reported need for assistance with drug problems is high. Help with marital, family and employment problems was also indicated. Because of the broad range of life problems experienced by this group, a broad spectrum treatment is likely necessary. This group of offenders is appropriate for the Substance Abuse Pre-release Program.
  2. Alcohol abusers: The next type of offender is composed primarily of alcohol abusing offenders. This group is (on average) moderately dependant on alcohol, but they also report a high need for assistance with alcohol problems. Leisure and employment were also regarded as somewhat problematic for this group. Alcohol and drugs are viewed by this type of offender as having played a significant role in their crime. Because of the relative social stability and less pervasive effects of alcohol on life functioning, this group of offenders would likely benefit from a behavioural self-control program (Miller and Hester, 1980). This group of offenders is appropriate for OSAPP.
  3. Emotionally distressed poly-drug abusers: The next group of offenders abuse alcohol and drugs, and indicate a need for assistance with both types of problems — particularly alcohol problems. Offenders falling into this group should have their emotional needs assessed and treated prior to involvement in a substance abuse treatment program, otherwise they are unlikely to benefit.
  4. Alcohol and drug dependent with organicity: The final group of offenders is the most impaired group, with serious alcohol and drug abuse, as well as marital, family and leisure problems. It is most important to note, however, that this group has a relatively low IQ and shows evidence of possible organic brain damage. This group of offenders are, with their limited cognitive capacities, unlikely to benefit from involvement in the Substance Abuse Pre-release Program. A program offering an unambiguous model of addiction (e.g., AA) with a great deal of repetition may be more appropriate for this type of offender.

Appendix E

The Correctional Model of Substance Abuse Treatment

Developing a Model for the Provision of Substance Abuse Treatment. (1993). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada.

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