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Roseanna Boyer
Psychology, PPPM

Robert Mauro, Mentor
Michael Hibbard, Mentor

Effect of Literacy on Success in a Court-Sponsored Drug and Alcohol Treatment Diversion Program

Lack of basic literary and life skills has been implicated in the failure of individuals to complete drug and alcohol treatment programs, increasing the rate of recidivism following completion of the programs. Individuals with low levels of literary and life skills have difficulties holding jobs and maintaining personal relationships. In this project, we will assess basic literary and life skills using the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) and relate performance on this measure to measures of success and recidivism in the Lane County Drug Court treatment programs. If individuals with higher levels of literacy or life skills demonstrate higher success rates and lower recidivism rates, then the study would provide justification for developing interventions designed to increase levels of literacy and life skills in individuals referred to the Drug Court. This project is the result of collaboration between the Lane County Circuit Court, Emergence Treatment Services, Lane Community College, and the University of Oregon.