Heroin Addiction Treatment and Crime Reduction
ROBERT L. DUPONT M.D.1
1 Director of the District of Columbia Narcotics Treatment Administration, 801 N. Capitol St., N.E. 20002
The author describes the origin, development, and impact of the nation's largest city-operated program for the treatment of heroin addiction. Patients in treatment showed decreased use of heroin, fewer arrests, and greater employment. Methadone maintenance was associated with higher rates of retention in the program. but abstinence and detoxification also produced increased employment and decreased heroin use and arrests among those who stayed in treatment.
