Section 4: Information Tools

V. Drug Testing

In addition, drug tests need to be used in conjunction with a clearly established system of incentives. Offenders who are maintaining a drug-free lifestyle should be rewarded, possibly by requiring them to submit fewer drug tests and by reducing their level of supervision. Those offenders who continuously test positive for any drugs must be penalized to help teach them that the legal system will not permit their destructive behavior to continue.

Drug testing is a convenient and easy way to identify where an offender is in the stages of change.