title: Assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of drug intervention programs: UK case study.
abstract: The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the UK Drug Interventions Program which directs adult drug-misusing offenders out of crime and into treatment programs was established. Quality-adjusted life year estimates from the UK Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study were collected and a cost-utility assessment of the Drug Interventions Program was conducted. Cost-utility assessment confirmed that the Drug Interventions Program is both effective and cost-effective with an average net cost saving of £668 (£6,207 including one case of homicide). This study provides evidence that drug intervention programs are cost-effective as they reduce crime, improve quality-of-life and reduce subsequent drug use.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Public Health and Policy , University of Liverpool , Liverpool , UK.
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Public Health , Liverpool John Moores University , Liverpool , UK.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cuddy
authors.affiliation: c NIHR CLAHRC NWC , University of Liverpool , Liverpool , UK.
authors.forename: Antony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003415:Crime / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018803:Models, Economic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Drug treatment; cocaine; crime; opiates; quality-of-life; test-on-arrest