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Drug treatment outcomes research study

Assessing the impact of drug treatment

Did you know?

12 months after starting drug treatment, the proportion of treatment seekers committing criminal offences was down from 40% to 16%.

from : Drug treatment outcomes research study

About this study

The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS) aimed to assess the impact of drug treatment on outcomes.

The final report was published in December 2009 and, overall, it found that treatment was shown to reduce drug use and associated harmful behaviour. The study looked specifically at levels of drug and alcohol use, offending behaviour, physical and mental health issues and wider social outcomes. It also explored reasons for problematic drug use, and factors associated with treatment success.

The Home Office commissioned the study, which was undertaken jointly by NatCen and the National Drug Evidence Centre at the University of Manchester. It included both qualitative and quantitative elements, and a cost benefit analysis. The results from this study are published in several reports which you can find here.

Potential policy impact

This study has wide ranging implications for specialist drug treatment provision, health and mental health services, social services, and the criminal justice system.

Timeline

Methods

The quantitative part of the study involved face-to-face interviews with around 1,800 people seeking drug treatment, and followup interviews 3 and 12 months later. This data was also used in the cost benefit analysis. The qualitative part of the study involved in depth interviews with 44 treatment seekers and 32 treatment providers.

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