Christine A Saum

Publications (2)4.49 Total impact

• Article: Predictors of substance abuse treatment entry for crime-involved, cocaine-dependent women.

  Christine A Saum, Matthew L Hiller, Margaret E Leigey, James A Inciardi, Hilary L Surratt
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  ABSTRACT: A health services utilization model was used to examine predictors of treatment entry among a large sample (N=659) of crime-involved, cocaine-dependent women. Previous research in this area has focused on women already in treatment and resultantly excluded a critical population of drug-dependent women who are actively using but not in treatment. Thus, interviews were completed with women who were participating in substance abuse treatment programs and with women who were not currently in treatment to examine what factors may have inhibited or facilitated their entering treatment. The predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, and service needs of these women were assessed in relation to their treatment utilization status. Findings indicated that variables within each of the three categories of the health services model were related to treatment entry including race/ethnicity and education (predisposing characteristics), and alcohol use and having multiple chronic health problems (need). But, overall, enabling factors, such as being legally employed, having health insurance, having custody of children, and knowing where to go to get treatment, appeared to be the most influential predictors. Implications of this research include employing multiple tactics for increasing the likelihood of treatment entry such as aggressive outreach efforts focusing on at-risk women who have the fewest social ties and who are the least integrated into mainstream society.
  Drug and Alcohol Dependence 01/2008; 91(2-3):253-9. · 3.38 Impact Factor
• Article: Factors associated with completion of a drug treatment court diversion program.

  Clifford A Butzin, Christine A Saum, Frank R Scarpitti
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  ABSTRACT: Factors related to successful completion of a first offender diversion program were examined from initial data of a longitudinal study of drug treatment court outcomes in Delaware. The strongest predictors of success were factors associated with social stakeholder values, especially those involving employment. Other factors associated with program completion included race, education, and frequency of drug use. While the overall success of drug treatment courts continues to be documented, these data suggest success varies with individual characteristics. The continuing study will explore whether these characteristics are also related to subsequent outcomes, especially drug use relapse and criminal recidivism, over a 24-month post-treatment period.
  Substance Use &amp Misuse 02/2002; 37(12-13):1615-33. · 1.10 Impact Factor