NCJ Number
177968
Date Published
1996
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This study, designed to overcome some of the methodological limitations of past studies on costs and benefits of drug and alcohol treatment, involved a representative sample of drug treatment completers in Oregon and a matched comparison group of clients who received little or no treatment.
Abstract
The study relied on State agency databases rather than on self-report data for maximum objectivity and covered 2 years prior and 3 years subsequent to drug treatment completion. With no statistically significant differences in arrest and conviction histories prior to treatment, treatment completers had significantly fewer arrests and convictions following treatment. For example, outpatient treatment completers were arrested at a rate 45 percent lower than the matched comparison group during the 3-year period subsequent to treatment. Treatment completion was associated with substantially fewer incarcerations in the State prison system and with fewer days of incarceration. For example, residential treatment completers were incarcerated at a rate 70 percent lower than the matched comparison group. During the period subsequent to treatment, treatment completers received 65 percent higher wages than those who did not complete treatment. The use of food stamps was reduced significantly for treatment completers, and open child welfare cases for treatment completers decreased by 50 percent subsequent to treatment. Medical expenses were substantially lower for those who completed treatment compared with the matched comparison group. The 1991- 1992 cohort of treatment completers produced cost savings of $83,147,187 for 2.5 years following treatment. Positive societal outcomes associated with drug treatment were significant for a period of at least 3 years. 7 tables and 12 figures