Reducing crime is one of the most important benefits of drug treatment. Recent research which matched anonymised data from the Police National Computer to information in the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System showed that the total number of crimes committed by users almost halved following the start of treatment.

A quarter of those coming into treatment now are referred from the criminal justice system. The Drug Interventions Programme has helped tighten up the referrals into treatment from police stations and the courts, so that offenders are able to get treatment quickly to help break the cycle between drugs and crime. 
 
Back to top

New research recently published by the Home Office, the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS), evaluates the long- term effectiveness and cost effectiveness of drug treatment. It  concludes that drug treatment reduces the harm caused to communities from drug addiction; is effective for the individual seeking treatment in improving their physical and mental health; and has around an 80% chance of being cost-effective for that individual.

It also estimated the benefit:cost ratio for drug treatment at 2.5 to 1.  That means we generate £1.5bn of benefits for an expenditure of £600m for people in treatment within a year. So for every £1 spent on drug treatment society benefits to the tune of £2.50.

Back to top

There are now nearly 210,000 adults in structured treatment and more and more people are recovering from their addiction every year. The numbers and proportion completing treatment having overcome their addiction is growing every year.

Separate services are available for the families, friends and carers of drug users, regardless of whether the drug user is in treatment. Services for families offer support such as being able to talk to people in a similar position, as well as practical advice on subjects such as childcare.

Involving families in shaping the treatment system helps improve treatment for users and support for families.

Back to top

The benefits of treatment come not just from completion but from the improved health, stability and social functioning and crime reduction that is delivered when an individual enters treatment. The ultimate goal of all treatment is freedom from dependency and drug addiction is a long-term relapsing condition which may require treatment over an extended period.

Back to top

Most addicts want to get clean and want to get a job – in other words, to live a more normal life. For many, the first step towards a job will be working within the drug treatment sector, either paid or as a volunteer, giving them the confidence to believe that they can hold down a job, and giving them something positive for their CV. Resettlement leads in drug treatment services then support clients who are ready to move on to a job in a different sector.

Local drug treatment partnerships and regional NTA teams work with Jobcentre Plus drugs co-ordinators to support drug users accessing welfare benefits into both drug treatment and skills training and employment support. 

Back to top

• Tackling problem drug use - National Audit Office report (2010)
• The Story of Drug Treatment - NTA (2009)