Treating Drug Abuse and Addiction in the Criminal Justice System.

The article provides neuroscientific findings and evidence-based principles of drug addiction treatment in the criminal justice system. The goal is to reduce criminal behavior and improve public health. The author explains that illegal drug-seeking behavior and participation in illegal activities are due in part to brain changes triggered by the repeated use of drugs. Behavioral treatments and the benefits of medications for drug treatment are addressed. Statistics related to drug education for prisoners and access to treatment in correctional institutions are provided. A discussion of the neurobiology of addiction is provided. The "Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations" published by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse is also discussed.