1996.09.05 : New Study Shows Federally Supported Drug Treatment Programs Reduce Drug Use; Reduce Crime; Improve Employment, Income and Housing

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Date:  Thursday, Sept. 5, 1996
For Release:  Immediately
Contact:  SAMHSA Press Office, (301) 443-8956

NEW STUDY SHOWS FEDERALLY SUPPORTED DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS REDUCE DRUG USE; REDUCE CRIME; IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT, INCOME AND HOUSING; AND REDUCE RISK FOR HIV INFECTION

A new study released today by HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala and White House National Drug Policy Director Barry McCaffrey shows an overall 50 percent decline in drug use one year after treatment among clients served by federally funded drug treatment programs. Significant declines in alcohol use are also demonstrated.

The National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES) is a five-year study of the impact of drug and alcohol treatment on 5,388 clients treated in substance abuse treatment programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. It is the largest study of its kind, with interviews of substance abuse treatment clients both before and after treatment.

In a comparison between the year before treatment and the year after treatment, the rate of respondents reporting:

marijuana use declined 50 percent.

cocaine use declined 55 percent.

crack use declined 51 percent.

heroin use declined 46 percent.

"This study shows that our federal investment in substance abuse treatment is a wise one indeed," said Secretary Shalala. "Treatment saves lives, saves families and saves resources. It's very good to see that our investment in treatment is working for our clients -- and for the taxpayers."

White House Drug Policy Director McCaffrey said, "Reducing health, welfare, and crime costs resulting from illegal drug use is one of the primary goals of the National Drug Control Strategy. Drug treatment improves lives, strengthens families and increases productivity -- it makes sense. At the same time it saves dollars across a broad spectrum of federal government programs including housing, welfare, health care, labor and criminal justice.

"Now is not the time to be cutting our investment in treatment and prevention efforts. The proposed House cuts of $184 million would effectively end federal support for development of new techniques and approaches for substance abuse prevention and treatment. Now more than ever, we need a strong commitment to drug prevention and treatment," McCaffrey continued.

"Treatment is far less expensive than likely alternatives," said Nelba Chavez, Ph.D., administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "One year of methadone maintenance treatment for heroin addiction costs $3,500. One year of incarceration can cost as much as $40,000. It is estimated that one year of untreated addiction costs society $43,200."

The study also noted:

Large changes in criminal behavior, ranging from a decline of 82 percent in the percentage of respondents shoplifting, to reductions of 78 percent in the percentage of individuals engaging in both the sale of drugs and violent crime.
A 19 percent increase in the rate of employment.
A 42 percent drop in the percentage of respondents who were homeless.
Decreases in alcohol and drug related medical visits (down 53 percent) and inpatient mental health visits (down 28 percent).
Significant decreases, ranging from 34 percent to 56 percent, in sexual behaviors known to be high risk for further transmission of HIV.

The sample was not designed to be nationally representative but included a broad spectrum of people assisted by CSAT-supported drug treatment programs. The study focused on underserved and vulnerable populations whose drug problems tend to be more severe and who have few social supports to help in their recovery (e.g., minority populations, pregnant and parenting women, those living in inner cities or public housing, recipients of public welfare, and those involved with the criminal justice system).

The release of this study occurs at the beginning of "Treatment Works Month," a joint effort of The National Coalition on Alcohol and Other Drug Issues, HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and its Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). This month-long effort every September is designed to raise awareness about the importance and effectiveness of treatment for substance abusers, and to reduce the stigma associated with treatment.

SAMHSA is the federal government's lead agency on providing services for substance abuse and mental health prevention and treatment, and is one of the Public Health Service agencies in HHS. Additional information and materials are available from CSAT at (301) 443-5052, or through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), at 1-800-729-6686, or by going on-line to the NCADI web site at www.health.org.

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