Breaking the Cycle: A Scoping Review Exploring Non-Pharmacological Treatment Programs for Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use for People in Contact with the Justice System

Amphetamine-type stimulant use is strongly associated with crime and recidivism, with high rates of usage frequently observed among people in contact with the justice system. Although a number of reviews have explored the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatment programs for people in contact with the justice system who use substances, none specifically focus on amphetamine-type stimulants. This scoping review aims to address this gap by systematically mapping and evaluating the existing literature on non-pharmacological treatment programs for people in contact with the justice system who use amphetamine-type stimulants.

Following the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, a systematic search across six electronic databases was conducted. The search revealed that there are few reported studies (n = 16) exploring treatment programs for people who use amphetamine-type stimulants and are in contact with the justice system. Descriptive analysis of the study findings revealed that therapeutic community programs, diversion programs and motivational interviewing interventions were associated with significant decreases in substance use and/or improvements in criminal justice outcomes. However, assessment of the quality of included studies revealed marked methodological limitations. Analysis of the overarching themes indicated that legal pressure was an important factor influencing treatment outcomes.

Although a variety of interventions have been implemented to address amphetamine-type stimulant use among justice populations, there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of any specific program. Rigorous evaluation research, including longitudinal studies, is required to help improve intervention outcomes.