RO1DA029010-01A1

Scott Walters, PhDa, Faye Taxman, PhDb, Mayra Rodriguez, MPHa, & Jennifer Lerch, MAb,aUniversity of North Texas Health Science Center; bGeorge Mason University, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!

Development of a Computer Intervention Targeting Substance Abuse Treatment in the Criminal Justice System

The authors report no conflicts of interest. For more information, contact scott.walters@unthsc.edu

RO1DA029010-01A1

GoalsOverview• 2-visit, interactive touchscreen program.• Includes risk assessment, planning, social support,

automated reminders.• Uses text-to-speech narration, making it extremely

responsive.Narration• Narrator is “Jennifer,” a female,

lower pitch voice, with a non-specificregional dialect.

Development

Participants praised organization, narration, customized data, summary reports, and perceived usefulness.

In initial testing, participants liked…..• “How the program charted my drug use and problems” • “[Finding out] how many people smoke less than me” • “listening to [other] people’s reasons” for completing

probation

Participants didn’t like….• That the computer did not provide better directions and froze

on certain parts

Pilot Testing Evaluation

In-person MI

Visit 1

MAPITVisit 1

Standard Probation Intake

Screen for Eligibility

Consent & Baseline Interview In-person

MIVisit 2

6 month 12 month 2 month

MAPITVisit 2

n=200

n=200

n=200

Assessm

ent

Assessm

ent

Assessm

ent

Randomize (Stratify by Risk Level)

Completed after 30 days. Focuses on review of goals, coping strategies, social support.

Both visits provide reminder text/email messages for

selected goals.

Visit 2

Visit 1Bridge criminological and psychological theories.

Place no additional demands on the probation system of care.

Target multiple behaviors that occur together.

Tailored to the individual.

Very easy/intuitive to use.

Increase treatment initiation and engagement.?

☐

Completed near the start of probation. Targets motivation to complete probation, to change substance use, and to obtain HIV testing and care.

Changeable factors that can reduce risk.

Drug use compared to others

Goal setting, planning

around probation

and treatment

Identifying people who would help to make

positive changes.

Reviewing progress on goals set at Visit 1

Identifying strategies to make changes in substance use

Both visits include video testimonials from other probationers

4 million

50%$6.4

billion

Number of drug-involved probationers in US who are in need of substance abuse treatment.

Percent of drug-involved probationers who actually initiate treatment.

Annual cost savings of reducing number of incarcerated drug offenders by half.

Consequences of substance use

Focus groups strongly

preferred a bright,

friendly, self-aware

female narrator.