THE SUBSTANCE-ABUSING OFFENDER AND THE INITIAL INTERVIEW

Author Sam Torres presents the initial interview as a pivotal point fo r officers who supervise substance-abusing offenders. Encouraging a fa ir but firm approach in holding offenders accountable for their decisi on to continue using drugs, the author describes the importance of off icers establishing credibility with offenders at their first encounter . He discusses factors that affect credibility and the advantages and disadvantages of various probation officer styles.