The impact of methadone and drug-free treatment on criminal behavior

The present study was initiated to evaluate the effect of methadone versus drug-free treatment on a series of criminal involvement measures. A 50% random sample of the 776 clients who had registered with the Central Intake Unit over a one year period was selected for intensive study. Data were collected through examination of intake and treatment files for pre- and post-admission time periods. Arrest, conviction and incarceration rates as well as correctional status were measured and compared across pre-treatment, intake and three month post-intake periods. The arrest rate for the total sample decreased radically from 92.8% upon entering treatment to 8% after three months in treatment. The subsequent rates at 6, 9 and 12 months decreased in a fairly consistent manner. This trend was similar in the methadone, drug-free, and methadone/drug-free groups for either arrests, convictions or incarceration rates with time in treatment. The relationship between arrests and employment and drug use was also examined. No association was found between use of opiates as measured by urinalysis results and frequency of arrest. Similarly, arrest rates showed no significant association with employment rates during the first nine months of treatment, although the comparison at twelve months was significant with only 16.7% of those employed clients being arrested.