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| NIDA to Release New Drug Abuse
Treatment Recommendations to Cut Costs, Save Money and Reduce Crime
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 — 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. CT (12:00 p.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 |
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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) — The Nation's Medical Research
Agency — 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.
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