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Roseanna Boyer
Psychology/PPPM

Robert Mauro, Mentor
Michael Hibbard, Mentor

Literacy Markers for Adults in Lane County Drug Court

A lack of basic literacy may increase the likelihood that individuals will fail to complete drug and alcohol treatment programs thereby contributing to increased rates of recidivism following participation in treatment programs. Stage one of this project assessed basic literacy and math levels using the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS). Preliminary results indicated a broad relationship between literacy level and incentive to engage in voluntary educational training. Stage two continues the study and relates literacy performance to measures of success and recidivism in the Lane County Drug Court. If individuals with higher levels of literacy demonstrate higher success rates and lower recidivism rates, the study would provide justification for developing interventions designed to increase levels of literacy for individuals referred to 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.