We are also seeing violent crimes increasing, which we believe, is synonymous with our increased drug usage, particularly heroin use. Between 1994-1999 Vermont averaged 78 armed robberies per year. In 2000 there were 106. Many of these robberies have been linked to heroin abuse. This increase cannot continue without people getting hurt or killed.
Drug abusers can at times become desperate people.
The goal of treatment is to return the individual to productive functioning in the family, workplace and community. Measures of effectiveness typically include levels of criminal behavior, family functioning, employability, and medical condition. Overall, treatment of addiction is as successful as treatment of other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma. According to several studies, drug treatment reduces drug use by 40 to 60 percent and significantly decreases criminal activity during and after treatment. For example, a study of therapeutic community treatment for drug offenders demonstrated that arrests for violent and nonviolent criminal acts were reduced by 40 percent or more.