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Policy-relevant program evaluation in a national substance abuse treatment system
K Humphreys1, E G Hamilton, R H Moos
1Progam Evaluation and Resource Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA.
Journal of Mental Health Administration
|November 19, 1997
Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expanded substance abuse treatment but faces potential cutbacks due to government downsizing. Service evaluations can improve clinical practice and policy for addiction treatment.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Public Health Policy
- Substance Abuse Treatment
Background:
- Public and private substance abuse services face evolving trends.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manages a significant substance abuse treatment system.
- External substance abuse services have seen a decline, while VA services expanded from 1990-1994 due to increased funding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze recent trends in substance abuse services.
- To offer suggestions for improving the evaluation of these services.
- To inform clinical practice and policy making in addiction treatment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of trends in public and private substance abuse services.
- Focus on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) treatment system.
- Drawing from the VA Program Evaluation and Resource Center's (PERC) experience.
Main Results:
- VA substance abuse treatment expanded significantly between 1990 and 1994.
- Government downsizing and decentralization efforts initiated a reversal of this growth trend in 1994.
- Future VA services may be reduced and adopt private sector managed care strategies.
Conclusions:
- Evaluations of substance abuse treatment systems are crucial for informing policy and clinical practice.
- Suggestions are provided to enhance the utility of evaluations for policymakers and clinicians.
- The VA system's trajectory highlights the impact of funding and policy shifts on addiction services.