Abstract:
Social networks represent one dominant mode that drug use thrives in society by
providing users with access to drugs and by offering social support for use. This study
extends prior social network research by measuring the influence of family relations and
the impact of treatment participation on social networks for a sample of drug offenders on
probation with a treatment condition in Baltimore County, MD. After randomization into
a group either receiving treatment within the probation office or referral to a community
treatment program, offenders are surveyed pre-treatment and three months later using the
Addiction Severity Index, the Client Assessment Inventory, and the Orientation of Social
Support measure with responses forming key variables for analysis. Findings show that
positive family relations and attending treatment lead to larger social support networks
but have little effect on the negative networks of the offenders. Policy implications may
include probation officers trying to incorporate offenders’ family members into meetings
or discussions and more social network oriented treatment programs for offenders.
