METH DESTROYS | NEED TO KNOW | TREATMENT AND RESOURCES | FAQ & LINKS | Summit 2006

Presentation to Meth Summit

1. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, "Shoveling Up: The Impact of Substance Abuse on State Budgets" (2001) of the 47 states who reported, Colorado ranked dead last in state funding for substance abuse prevention, treatment, and research.

"On average, of every $100.00 states spend on substance abuse they spend $95.80 on the burden of substance abuse to public programs compared to $3.70 for prevention, treatment and research ($0.50 is spent on regulation and compliance), but state spending varies widely. The proportion spent on shoveling up the wreckage compared to prevention and treatment ranges from to $89.71 vs. $10.22 in North Dakota to $99.94 vs. $0.06 in Colorado." View Report

2. According to the California Drug and Alcohol Treatment Assessment (CALDATA), "Evaluating Recovery Services" report:

1. Costs and benefits to taxpaying citizens: The cost of treating approximately 150,000 participants represented by the CALDATA study sample was $209 million, while the benefits received during treatment and in the first year afterwards were worth approximately $1.5 billion in savings to taxpaying citizens, due mostly to reductions in crime.
2. Cost-benefit ratios for taxpaying citizens: The benefits of alcohol and other drug treatment outweighed the costs of treatment by ratios from 4:1 to greater than 12:1 depending on the type of treatment.
3. Crime: The level of criminal activity declined by two-thirds from before treatment to after treatment. The greater the length of time spent in treatment, the greater the percent reduction in criminal activity.
4. Healthcare: About one-third reductions in hospitalizations were reported from before treatment to after treatment. There were corresponding significant improvements in other health indicators.

3. Treatment funding in Colorado—ADAD

1. The state of Colorado currently utilizes a Cost-sharing model. ADAD pays for 48% of the costs of contracted services; while the provider is to cost-share the remaining 52%
2. Treatment Encounters—Contracted to provide 1314 encounters (Weld & Larimer Counties) We provided 2644 encounters last fiscal year.
1. Differential Assessment
2. Transitional Residential Treatment
3. Outpatient
4. Intensive Outpatient
5. DUI Level II Education
6. DUI Level I Therapy and Education
3. Detox Encounters—Contracted to provide 1278 encounters (Weld & Larimer Counties) We provided 2707 last fiscal year.

4. Larimer and Weld County Meth treatment stats

5. Is substance abuse treatment effective for Meth users?

1. Limitations on Current Treatments
1. Training and development of knowledgeable clinical personnel are essential elements to successfully address the challenges of treating MA users.
2. Training alone is insufficient if the funding necessary to deliver these treatment recommendations is not available.
3. Treatment funding policies that promote short duration or non-intensive outpatient services are inappropriate for providing adequate funding for MA users.
2. Successful Outpatient Treatment Predictors
1. Durations over 90 days (with continuing care for another 9 months).
2. Techniques and clinic practices that improve treatment retention are critical.
3. Treatment should include 3-5 clinic visits per week for at least 90 days.
4. Employ evidence-based practices [i.e., CBT, CM, Community Reinforcement Approach, Motivational Interviewing, Matrix Model].
5. Family involvement and 12-step programs appear to improve outcome.
6. Urine testing (at least weekly is recommended)
3. Treatments for Methamphetamine
1. Residential Treatment—is the treatment of choice for many
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
3. Motivational Interviewing
4. Contingency Management
5. MATRIX Model
6. New Medications
1. Currently, there are no medications that can quickly and safely reverse life threatening MA overdose.
2. There are no medications that can reliably reduce paranoia and psychotic symptoms, that contribute to episodes of dangerous and violent behavior associated with MA use.
3. Promising Evidence: Bupropion; Methylphenidate SR

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