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.

• According to several conservative estimates, every $1 invested in addiction treatment programs yields a return of between $4 and $7 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and theft alone. When savings related to health care are included, total savings can exceed costs by a ratio of 12:1. National Institute on Drug Addiction, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. (1999). Principles of Drug Addiction.
• 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