Participation in drug detoxification programmes leads to reduced drug use, decreased involvement in crime and improved mental and physical health one year on, according to research published yesterday, writes Eithne Donnellan.
The study, carried out by the National University of Ireland Maynooth, tracked the progress of 81 drug users who were involved in structured drug detoxification programmes in a number of settings, one of which included Mountjoy Prison.
One year on, researchers were able to locate all but 19 of those who had taken part and established that abstinence from all drugs, including prescribed drugs, increased from 5 per cent at the time they began detox to 39 per cent one year on.
And among those still using drugs, the taking of heroin, cocaine and alcohol had reduced.
Furthermore, 74 per cent of the group reported no involvement in crime after 12 months of treatment, compared to just 19 per cent reporting no involvement in crime when they began detox.
The researchers will now look at the group after three years to see if the benefits are sustained.
The study was commissioned and funded by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs.