Drug Treatment: Cost-Effective and Humane

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Drug Treatment: Cost-Effective and Humane

Washington Post (09/01/98) P. A18
McCaffrey, Barry R.

In a letter to the editor of the Washington Post, director of National Drug Control Policy, Barry R. McCaffrey, argues that the lack of substance abuse treatment centers in Washington, D.C., is indicative of a national problem. While there has been an increase in federal expenditures by one-third since 1993, only 52 percent of people in need of drug treatment actually get it. Specifically, treatment capacity in the District of Columbia is only 10 percent of the need. The lack of treatment in the area is significant for children, who may be neglected or abused by parents who use drugs. Additionally, the lack of treatment is seen in the ever- growing prison population. McCaffrey urges improvements in treatment to avoid the costs of crimes committed by addicts and the cost of imprisoning addicts, as well to avoid "the wasted potential of the innocent children of addicts."

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