Predicting Diversion Program Outcomes Using Drug Testing Information

Due in part to drug crimes, many U.S. citizens are under correctional supervision. One aspect of correctional supervision is drug testing. The view among many is that sobriety is required to meet probation program requirements. Research on probation client outcomes related to the impact of drug testing is limited. This study sought to answer the following research questions. How is drug testing being practiced and observed in ARI in terms of its frequency, pass rates, and tested drugs? Does drug testing have a significant impact on ARI participant outcomes when controlling for demographic variables? Among the demographic variables, only age predicted program outcomes. Drug test positivity rates predicted revocation, as well as drug test frequency (number of times an individual was tested) and average number of days between the drug tests. This study focuses on drug test outcomes; however, it also would be worth exploring data on drug testing rewards, sanctions, and requirements for program completion and their impacts on program outcomes.