1. Main Theme of the Course
Effective Prevention and Enhancement of Treatment for Drug Abusers in the Criminal Justice Process.

2. Rationale
Drug abuse is a global problem in our societies. Many serious problems derive from such a global phenomenon. First of all, illicit drugs make significant profits for international organized criminal groups through such activities as illegal cultivation, synthesization, and trafficking. They threaten the peaceful order and economic/political stability of our societies with increases in crimes, corruption, damages to various social resources, etc. Also, in some countries, drug abusers are one of the major factors contributing to overcrowding in prisons and other correctional facilities, which pressurize the management and smooth operation of rehabilitative programmes. Moreover, drug abuse and drug addiction increases the susceptibility to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases, thereby damaging the health and welfare of a wide range of people from adolescents to adults and impairs sound development among individuals, families, and communities. Finally, numerous pieces of empirical research demonstrate that drug abuse is one of the significant predictors for re-offending. From a practical point of view, it is often the case that drug abusers commit various crimes in order to obtain money for drugs or because they are under the influence of drugs. Therefore, drug abuse problems have huge impacts on all the fields of the criminal justice administration from crime prevention to treatment of drug offenders.

In view of the seriousness of drug-related problems, each country has taken specific measures in combating drug abuse problems. In addition, various international bodies and organizations such as the G8 summit ad-hoc meeting of drug experts and the United Nations have developed various countermeasures against drug abuse problems. At present, there are the following three multilateral treaties adopted by the UN: Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988). Through such international instruments, more effective measures such as enhanced control of illicit drugs including precursor chemicals, and international cooperation in drug control, have been launched. In response to such movements, each jurisdiction has made every effort to systematically implement suppressive measures for drug trafficking and drug supply reduction policies by rearranging relevant domestic laws and practices.

Meanwhile, in order to effectively cope with drug abuse problems, drug demand reduction policies should be incorporated in comprehensive and well-balanced strategies against drug abuse, in addition to control and reduction in the supply side. In this connection, the General Assembly of the UN at the 20th special session in 1998 recognized that drug demand reduction programmes should be one of the key elements of a comprehensive strategy combating drug abuse and trafficking, and adopted 'the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction.' More specifically, paras.13-14 put emphasis on focusing on the special needs of clients in prevention and treatment, and paras.15 and 17 encourage scientifically reliable information and evaluation:

13. Demand reduction programmes should be designed to address the needs of the population in general, as well as those of specific population groups, paying special attention to youth. Programmes should be effective, relevant and accessible to those groups most at risk, taking into account differences in gender, culture and education.

14. In order to promote the social reintegration of drug-abusing offenders, where appropriate and consistent with the national laws and policies of Member States, Governments should consider providing, either as an alternative to conviction or punishment or in addition to punishment, that abusers of drugs should undergo treatment, education, aftercare, rehabilitation and social reintegration. Member States should develop within the criminal justice system, where appropriate, capacities for assisting drug abusers with education, treatment and rehabilitation services. In this overall context, close cooperation between criminal justice, health and social systems is a necessity and should be encouraged.

15. Information utilized in educational and prevention programmes should be clear, scientifically accurate and reliable, culturally valid, timely and, where possible, tested with a target population....

17. Demand reduction strategies and specific activities should be thoroughly evaluated to assess and improve their effectiveness. The evaluations should also be appropriate to the specific culture and programme involved. The results of these evaluations should be shared with all those interested.

Thus, the early detection and prevention of drug abuse, and the appropriate delivery of treatment and rehabilitative services addressed to individual risks and needs of drug abusers are critical issues for drug demand reduction strategies, which should also be scientifically reliable, valid, and effective. These are the main reasons to set up this training programme that explores 'Effective Prevention and Enhancement of Treatment for Drug Abusers in the Criminal Justice Process.' More specific explanations are as follows:

Firstly, the preventive strategies for drug abuse may be analyzed at multiple levels: i.e., 'primary prevention' which is directed at the general public population for enhancing awareness, 'secondary prevention' which is directed at specific high-risk groups who have increased susceptibility for drug abuse, and 'tertiary prevention' which is directed at drug abusers who could relapse into subsequent drug use. Moreover, effective preventive strategies would require early detection and intervention for high-risk individuals as one of the core elements. In this context, various practices have been accumulated by the police and other criminal justice agencies.

On the other hand, with regard to the enhancement of treatment for drug abusers, diversified intervention programmes have been utilized although specific measures taken by each jurisdiction are characterized by differences in relevant determinants such as laws related to drug offences, types of dominant drugs used in each country, etc. For instance, programmes for drug abusers include detoxification, prescription of substitute drugs, therapeutic community (TC) model approaches, psycho-social intervention by multi-disciplinary teams, group counseling, boot camp treatment, relapse prevention programmes, cognitive-behavioral skill trainings and a variety of support for smooth reintegration into society. Moreover, if we examine responses at each stage of criminal justice system, some countries have developed various diversion programs at the police, prosecution, and court levels, in order to intensify alternatives for imprisonment and/or to conduct early intervention. Furthermore, in institutional settings, some countries utilize special institutions or units for drug abusers, and/or provide intensive treatment programmes based upon individual risks and needs of drug abusers. These experiences and practices in each country might be re-examined in terms of such viewpoints as applicability, sustainability, cost effectiveness, results of evaluative studies and Evidence-Based Practices (EBP). Knowledge and experience in these practices can be accumulated as a useful knowledge base, which may be reflected in further improving current practices and strategies of treatment of drug abusers in each country.

3. Objectives
On the basis of the explanations indicated above, the purpose of this International Training Course is to offer participants opportunities to share information on the current situation of drug abuse; punishments; prevention and treatment for drug abusers; and challenges faced by each country. At the same time, this course offers opportunities to explore more effective measures and strategies for preventing drug abuse and treating drug abusers to promote their reintegration into society.

In summary, among the major topics to be discussed are the following items:
(1) To examine and analyze the current situation of drug abuse; the legal framework of prevention, punishment, and treatment for drug abusers; and practices and programmes for prevention and treatment.
(2) To extract current problems and challenges faced by each jurisdiction and their practices concerning prevention of drug abuse, punishment and treatment for drug abusers.
(3) To explore effective measures and strategies for further improving prevention and treatment of drug abusers at each stage of the criminal justice system based upon promising practices and relevant empirical studies in each country.