NIDA to Release New Drug Abuse Treatment Recommendations to Cut Costs, Save Money and Reduce Crime

15 July 2006

On July 24, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, will release a landmark report offering thirteen principles of treatment that can reduce crime, save money and save lives a translating science into practice. NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D., will be joined by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and other Chicago experts who support innovative approaches to drug abuse and crime. Also attending are former drug involved offenders whose lives have changed from treatment.

What: Release of Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations

Why: It is estimated that 70 percent of people in state prisons and local jails have used drugs regularly, compared to approximately 9 percent in the general population, yet only one-fifth ever receive treatment. Communities have feared treatment for drug abusing offenders would be too expensive; however this report shows that not only does appropriate treatment reduce crime, it also saves money and lives. Research shows that for every dollar spent on addiction treatment programs, there is a $4 to $7 reduction in the cost of drug-related crimes. With some outpatient treatment programs, total savings can exceed costs by a ratio of 12:1. Untreated substance abuse adds significant costs to communities, including violent and property crimes, prison expenses, court and criminal costs, emergency room visits, child abuse and neglect, lost child support, foster care and welfare costs, reduced productivity, unemployment, and victimization.

When: July 24, 2006

11:00 a.m. ET

Where: 1st District Headquarters Building

1718 S. State St.

Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Conference Room

Chicago, IL (Parking available)

Who:

Nora D. Volkow, M.D.

Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse

The Honorable Richard M. Daley

Mayor, Chicago

The Honorable Timothy Evans

Cook County Chief Judge

Melody M. Heaps

President, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities

Former offenders in recovery from drug addiction

Dr. Volkow will be available for interviews immediately following the press conference.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world s research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to ensure the rapid dissemination of research information and its implementation in policy and practice. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and further information on NIDA research can be found on the NIDA web site at http://www.drugabuse.gov.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) a The Nation s Medical Research Agency a includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Sara Rosario Wilson

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

301-443-6245

media@nida.nih.gov

Source: webwire

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