How Drug & Alcohol Treatment Programs Benefit Communities

Addiction/Alcoholism are serious illnesses. Health, relationships, finances, and careers—all can be ruined by substance abuse and addiction, which is the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death. It is estimated that each person effected by this disease directly impacts four other people who are not. Those who are not directly involved with an addict or an alcoholic still pay the price of the disease. Treatment does work and it helps not just the individual in treatment, but the community as well.

• While some mental health and substance addiction treatment services are available for people in prison or jail, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy found that, for every dollar spent on treatment in prison, the community receives $5.88 in public safety benefits, but if treatment is provided in the community, the return is nearly $19. Tracy Velazquez, Executive Director of the Justice Policy Institute. http://www.justicepolicy.org/index.htm http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/07/AR2009100702939.html .
• Substance abuse treatment cuts drug use in half, reduces criminal activity up to 80 percent, and reduces arrests up to 64 percent. Office of Evaluation, Scientific Analysis and Synthesis, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. (1997) The National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES).
• Recent studies show that after six months, treatment for alcoholism is successful for 40 to 70 percent of patient/clients; cocaine treatment is successful for 50 to 60 percent and opiate treatment for 50 to 80 percent. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (February 2001). Key Indicators for Policy Update, Substance Abuse The Nation’s Number One Health Problem. Princeton New Jersey