Research & Data > Reports > 4 > 42

Substance Abuse Treatment and Arrests: Analyses from Washington State

Summary: Administrative data—treatment records from the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse linked with arrest records from the Washington State Patrol— tells us whether treatment can reduce the impact of substance abuse on the criminal justice system. 10,284 persons were studied before and after their receipt of publicly funded substance abuse treatment. For all clients, arrest rates fell after treatment when compared to before, and completers as well as persons spending 90 days or more in treatment were less likely to be arrested for a felony than non-completers or those spending less than 90 days in treatment.

For more ways to get in touch with the Department of Social and Health Services, go to the DSHS Contact Information Web page. Technical Site Comments: DSHS Webmaster. Copyright 2004 Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.