Research Report 24 Key Implications The views expressed in this report are those of the authors, not necessarily those of the Home Office (nor do they reflect Government policy). The Research, Development and Statistics Directorate exists to improve policy making, decision taking and practice in support of the Home Office purpose and aims, to provide the public and Parliament with information necessary for informed debate and to publish information for future use. © Crown copyright 2009 ISSN 1756-3666 ISBN 978 1 84987 123 5 December 2009 The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS): Final outcomes report 3rd Edition Andrew Jones, Michael Donmall,Tim Millar, Alison Moody, Samantha Weston,Tracy Anderson, Matthew Gittins, Varunie Abeywardana and John D’Souza Contents Key Implications i Summary ii 1. Context 1 2. Results 3 3. Implications 15 Appendix 1 16 Appendix 2 23 References 52 Acknowledgements 53 Keywords Drugs Drug treatment Drug use Crime Offending Criminal justice system Survey Longitudinal Quantitative DTORS Research Report This report summarises follow-up data from the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS): a longitudinal study that explores the outcomes of drug treatment in England. The overriding finding is that treatment reduces the harmful behaviours that are associated with problem drug use.The majority of treatment seekers received care- coordinated treatment, expressed satisfaction with their care, were retained in treatment beyond three months, reported significant and substantial reductions in drug use and offending, and improvements in mental well-being and social functioning. DTORS has measured a broad range of outcomes.Where comparable, the positive DTORS outcomes are equivalent to, or better than, those observed a decade ago by NTORS, the previous national outcomes study.Alongside the fact that the number of people in contact with treatment services has more than doubled over the last decade, this suggests that the drug-treatment system has been responding effectively by increasing numbers in treatment and improving treatment effectiveness. Most improvements occur within the first few months of entering treatment.The changes in behaviour observed at first follow-up (three to five months after initial interview) are mainly only sustained at second follow-up (11 to13 months), although there are some additional improvements during this later stage of treatment.This may suggest that there are opportunities to further capitalise on the early gains that are achieved. Further work is needed to establish whether these gains are sustained once treatment has stopped. Levels of drug use declined rapidly within the first three months of starting treatment, and then continued at the same rate, for up to six months. These findings support the validity of the national performance indicator of retention in treatment for at least three months, but suggest potential value in longer measures of retention than currently employed as well as the need for treatment facilities to focus on a continuing process of change.