Aftercare services are acknowledged in the criminal justice system as critical to enabling drug offenders to avoid relapse and reincarceration, but the content too often is unsupported through research. One program funded under the Department of Justice in Maryland interviewed 150 inmates after three months in the community to determine what environmental influences were having the greatest impact on drug reuse. Findings suggest that more emphasis is needed on family relationships before and after release since satisfaction with family life is strongly correlated with drug abuse.

Structured, confidential interviews were conducted with 250 male narcotic addicts attending methadone maintenance treatment centers in Baltimore and New York City during 1983 and 1984. Detailed information was obtained regarding the type and amount of criminal activity committed during periods of addiction to narcotics. These data were factor analyzed, and results of the factor analysis were subsequently used to derive a typology of narcotic addicts. Numerical taxonomic methods yielded nine types. Descriptions of types, in terms of the kind, amount, and severity of criminal activity, and the relationship of the resulting classification to demographic and background characteristics are provided. Implications of the findings for social policy makers are discussed.

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