Drug Addiction and Treatment

It is estimated that over 9 million people have drug-related problems.  Effective treatment programs are shown to decrease criminal behavior, health-related problems and costs, homelessness and the need for welfare income. Additionally, there is also an increase in employment and improvement in mental health. 

$1 on treatment for alcohol or other drug problems saves taxpayers $7.14 in future costs for:

• in stolen and damaged property
• in victim injuries and lost work
• in police and court costs
• in jail and prison costs
• in hospital and emergency room visits
• in preventing infectious diseases
• in child abuse and foster care

 Source:

Why Invest in Drug Treatment?:  What the Research on Treatment Effectiveness Tell Us , Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems and Open Society Institute, 1999.