Treatment Works

The evidence demonstrates that treatment not only saves lives, it also saves dollars that would otherwise be spent in other areas of medical care and social services. Every dollar invested in treatment yields a $7 savings related to crime alone. When health care costs are factored into the equation, the savings approach $12 for every $1 invested in treatment. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy: 'Drug Abuse In America'   (www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov) , one year after treatment;

• Illegal drug use is decreased by 50%,
• Illegal activity is decreased by 60%,
• Drug Selling decreased by nearly 80%,
• Arrests decreased by more than 60%,
• Homelessness dropped by 43%,
• Receipt of welfare reduced by 11%, and
• Employment increased by 20%.

The Comprehensive Assessment Treatment Outcomes Registry Data in Ohio have documented dramatic results in decreasing occupational problems, including the following reductions after treatment;

• Absenteeism decreased by 89%,
• Tardiness decreased by 92%,
• Problems with supervisors decreased by 56%,
• Mistakes in work decreased by 70%, and
• Incomplete work decreased by 81%.

Additionally, a California Study found significant decreased health care costs from before to after treatment in;

• Hospitalizations for physical health problems (-36%),
• Drug overdose hospitalizations (-58%),
• Mental health hospitalizations (-44%),
• The number of emergency room visits (-36%), and
• The total number of hospital days (-25%).

Sources:

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (NIH Publication No. 99-4180). Washington DC. 1999

Ohio Dept. of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, New Standards, Inc., St. Paul, MN, 1994.

Gerstein, et al, "Evaluating Recovery Services: the California Drug and Alcohol Assessment," Sacramento, 1994.