Data on 3500 inner-city drug users entering treatment in the Philadelphia area between April 1985 and May 1998 studied criminal behavior as well as changes in drug uses. Authors found that treating drug abusers reduced the crime they committed by 51%.
--Source: Study by Miereia Jofne-Bonet and Jody Sindelar, Faculty/Yale School of Public Health

The state of Ohio realized a savings of $11 in health care costs for every $1 invested in treatment and prevention of substance abuse.
--Source: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (1999)

Studies have consistently found that treatment reduces substance abuse use frequency by at least 40%-60% and markedly reduces criminal activity associated with addictions.
--Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (1999)

Less than 1/3 of Primary Care Physicians routinely screen for substance abuse. Fewer than ½ of Physicians that administer annual health history forms include questions about alcohol and drug use.
--Source: National Survey of Primary Care Physicians and Patients on Substance Abuse April 2000

Medication and treatment compliance rates for persons with chronic diseases 1998:

• Insulin dependent diabetes: >50%
• Hypertension >30%
• Adult Asthma >30%
• Addiction Tx and Aftercare >40%

--Source: Study by Physicians Leadership on National Drug Abuse Policy, Medical News & Perspectives (JAMA) April 1998

Treatment compliance is the biggest cause of relapses for all chronic illnesses, including asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and addiction. Moreover, treatment compliance rates are no worse for addiction than for those other illnesses, ranging from 30 to 50 percent.
--Source: Dr. Alan Leschner, Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2001

"It is interesting that relapse among patients with diabetes, hypertension and asthma following cessation of treatment has been considered evidence of the effectiveness of those treatments and the need to retain patients in medical monitoring. In contrast, relapse to drug or alcohol use following discharge has been considered evidence of treatment failure."
--Source: Tom McLellan, PhD; David C Lewis, MD; Charles O'Brien, MD, PhD; and Herbert Kleber, MD; writing in JAMA article 2000

A study of patients in 26 Los Angeles area drug abuse treatment programs found those who attended at least one 12-Step meeting per week during and following treatment had much lower levels of drug use - almost 50% lower - than those who did not participate.
--Source: Study; R.Fiorentine, American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 1999