USE OF HEALTH-CARE SERVICES IN A SAMPLE OF DRUG-INVOLVED OFFENDERS - A COMPARISON WITH NATIONAL NORMS

There is evidence to suggest that drug-involved offenders are more lik ely to have chronic health problems, which would lead to the expectati on that this group would be consumers of a disproportionate amount of health care services. However; other characteristics of the group, inc luding higher rates of unemployment and less likelihood of health insu rance, suggest that they may consume relatively low amounts of health services. This study reports on a cohort of drug-involved offenders in Delaware who were interviewed just before release from prison and aga in at several points following release. When compared to age-and gende r-corrected norms from the National Health Interview Survey, the use o f health services for drug-and alcohol-related conditions as well as f or other physical conditions were all substantially higher for this gr oup of offenders. Discussion centers on the role of drug treatment pro grams in reducing the need for health care services.