The NACDA was established in response to the drug problem to assist in our continued need to improve our knowledge and understanding of problem drug use.
The goal of the NACDA is to advise the Government on problem drug use in Ireland in relation to prevalence, prevention consequences and treatment based on our analysis and interpretation of research findings.
For release: 9th October 2008 at 9.30am
New research shows that not only does drug treatment substantially reduce individuals’ drug use and their involvement in crime, it also improves employment outcomes. The data was published today (9th October 2008) in ROSIE Findings 7 (Research Outcome Study in Ireland Evaluating drug treatment effectiveness). ROSIE is the first national longitudinal multi-site drug treatment outcome study in the country and it was commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD).
Researchers from NUI Maynooth recruited 404 opiate users when they started drug treatment and followed participants from the point of commencing a new treatment episode and monitored their progress; one-year and three-years after treatment intake. The outcomes measured in ROSIE were drug use, involvement in crime, injecting-related behaviour, physical and mental health and social functioning among those participating in the study.
Launching the report, John Curran T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, said that the findings are a clear indication that drug treatment works and Government investment is paying dividends.
“The largest reductions in drug use and involvement in crime are achieved in year one and these reductions are sustained at the three-year follow up. Similarly, in terms of personal development, a significant improvement is made from one-year (22%) to three-years when 33% of the study participants are in employment and/or training.”
“It is the intention of Government to build on these positive outcomes. Whilst there are still areas for further study, it is clear that continued investment in drug treatment and implementation of the rehabilitation strategy will provide further positive outcomes in the years to come.”
Commenting on the figures, NACD Chairperson, Dr Des Corrigan, stated that compared with international studies, “the ROSIE study has a high follow-up rate 88% completed an interview at 3-years and 72% completed all three interviews. The study demonstrates that the retention rate in drug treatment in Ireland is very high which contributes to saving lives. The mortality rate in the study is low when compared to the UK outcome study, NTORS.”
Dr Corrigan went to say that “there were mixed results for physical and mental health symptoms on highlighting the challenges facing service providers in addressing polydrug use amongst this group and delivery of care for those with a dual diagnosis.”
Dr. Corrigan concluded by saying that whilst methadone treatment emerged as a very effective treatment in the study, harm reduction services also demonstrated effect most notably in the low rates of borrowing or lending of injecting equipment in the study.
Annmarie Brennan / Ronan Cavanagh, Montague Communications:
(01) 830 3116 or (087) 260 5896/ (086) 317 9731
The methodology used is a prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Participants were interviewed at the three time periods using a pre-prepared interview schedule, which examined key outcome measures including:
Acquisitive crime refers to all forms of theft, fraud and handling of stolen goods and does not include selling/supply of drugs or soliciting.
ENDS