Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

This analysis finds that treatment of stimulant addiction, including addiction to methamphetamines, results in lower health care costs and reduces the likelihood of rear rest or conviction. The overall cost offset of medical, mental health, and long-term care relative to the cost for providing alcohol or other drug treatment and detoxification services equals -$296 per person per month for stimulant abusers and -$267 for other substance abusers. The findings are drawn from a longitudinal study of 16,034 clients who received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits at some time between July 1997 and December 2001.