A group of dental researchers from the University of Wales (Cardiff, UK) conducted a randomized trial of a brief psychological intervention for males with maxillofacial injury, to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, delivered in a courthouse, on violent offenders' alcohol consumption, offending, and alcohol-related injuries. Two hundred sixty-nine males (ages 16 to 35) convicted of a violent offence while intoxicated were randomly allocated to treatment (motivational interviewing) or control conditions. At baseline, three months, and one year, the subjects were assessed for alcohol misuse, behavior changes, alcohol-related injury, and re-offending (via the UK Police National Crime Database).
In was concluded that a brief alcohol intervention applied immediately after sentencing for an alcohol-related violent offence had no effect on alcohol consumption or re-offending at three months, but did spark increased awareness of and willingness to tackle alcohol problems.
This is a summary of abstract #207, entitled "Randomised Trial of a Brief Alcohol Intervention for Violent Males", by J.P. Shepherd and K. Watt, of the University of Wales (Cardiff, UK), to be presented at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2005, in Room 328 of the Baltimore Convention Center, during the 83rd General Session of the International Association for Dental Research.
IADR Registration Area
Pratt Street Lobby
Baltimore Convention Center
One W. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
+410.649.6530 or +410.649.6522