M. Gossop et al., Reductions in acquisitive crime and drug use after treatment of addiction problems: 1-year follow-up outcomes, DRUG AL DEP, 58(1-2), 2000, pp. 165-172
The relationship between acquisitive crime and drug misuse problems was stu
died among 753 clients recruited to the National Treatment Outcome Research
Study (NTORS). More than 17000 offences were reported during the 90-day pe
riod prior to treatment. Half of the clients committed no acquisitive crime
s during this period whereas 10% committed 76% of the crimes. At I-year fol
low-up, the number of crimes was reduced to one third of intake levels, and
criminal involvement was reduced by about half. Reductions in regular hero
in use were strongly associated with reductions in crime. The reduction in
crime following treatment is of great importance and provides immediate ben
efit to society through the reduced economic costs of crime. (C) 2000 Elsev
ier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.