A recent study by RTI International found that every dollar spent on methadone maintenance treatment produces $38 in related economic benefits.
Wow.
This is similar to a 1995 study by the RAND Corporation which found that, dollar for dollar, providing treatment to cocaine users is 10 times more effective at reducing drug abuse than drug interdiction schemes and 23 times more effective than trying to eradicate coca at its source.
The RAND study was conducted for–drumroll please–the U.S. Army and the drug czar’s office. What became of RAND’s recommendations? Your guess is as good as mine, but I do remember the drug czar’s office having a paper airplane competition in the Old Executive Office Building around that time.
Let’s hope these new findings about methadone treatment are given the consideration they deserve.
Posted by Clovis Thorn.
