Drumming Away Drugs:
A Renaissance in Community Rehabilitation
Background:
Drug offenders in Kentucky account for a significant population within the criminal justice system. Nationally, Kentucky ranks third in drug overdose and drug mortality rates, with numbers quadrupling from 1999 to 2010 (Conway, 2013). These alarming statistics suggest current behavior modification treatments are limited in their effectiveness, creating community hardships both socially and economically. This social phenomenon highlights a growing need for a drug prevention renaissance.
Innovation:
Drumming Away Drugs is an innovative alternative therapeutic program that challenges traditional behavioral modification efforts by focusing on building a supportive and therapeutic community utilizing drumming as the context. The program centers on developing coping skills associated emotional and social intelligence using drumming techniques and practices as its context. This is completed within a supportive peer community of practice.