PRETRIAL DRUG-TESTING - PANACEA OR PANDORA BOX

Pretrial drug testing of arrestees and defendants released before trial is increasingly being implemented in state and local criminal justice agencies. The federal courts are also considering whether pretrial drug testing should be initiated in each district. But researchers and policymakers are currently engaged in a vigorous debate about the merits and drawbacks of pretrial drug-testing programs. Critics contend that the programs are difficult to implement, are too expensive, and have little real impact on criminal behavior and illegal drug use. Proponents argue that pretrial drug testing enables criminal justice officials to reliably detect drug use and improve release decisions, to effectively supervise drug-involved offenders before trial, and to encourage these offenders to seek treatment. This article reviews state and local experience with pretrial drug testing, discusses the evaluations that have been conducted, and offers some suggestions as to the role of pretrial drug testing in our nation's drug control policy.