Healthcare and Justice

by Jocelyn Rappaport

Naoru Koizumi

School of Public Policy Assistant Professor Naoru Koizumi and Department of Administration of Justice University Professor Faye S. Taxman will be developing computer simulation techniques aimed at improving the treatment of the substance abuse population in the United States. The research is funded by a recent grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice.

Koizumi notes that the two-year, $400,000 grant allows development of simulations that attempt to answer such questions as, what is the best treatment for someone who both abuses drugs and suffers from severe mental health problems? and what is the optimal allocation of various resources (monitoring, medication support, and such) for the treatment of such problems? This study is one of the first attempts to use a simulation technique to answer these types of questions involving substance abuse.

The project will involve initial data collection, simulation model development, meetings with substance abuse stakeholders, and preparation of a web site with simulation capabilities that could be used by care providers and policymakers in the substance abuse field.

“Currently, resource allocation is solely dependent on static needs assessment. This does not take into account the dynamic aspect of treatment and how patients improve over time,” says Koizumi. “The use of simulation with the research should help plan resource needs as it will consider specific care over a period of time for a patient.”

Koizumi and Taxman proposed their project, “Novel Morris Corrections Model: A Simulation Tool,” in response to the Bureau of Justice Assistance announcement, Encouraging Innovation: Field-Initiated Programs. It is the only award under this announcement made to a university. Work will begin in January 2010.