Quick Facts

Impact of Training and Technical Assistance on Overall Treatment Outcomes

Colombia

Training for drug treatment providers in Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Bucaramanga to acquaint them with the Therapeutic Community (TC) model revealed an increase in confidence with regard to implementation of the TC model as well as reductions in drug use among TC members

columbia graph

Key Findings

30-day use prior to treatment 

  • 64% Illegal drug use
  • 28% Cocaine use
  • 46% Cannabis Use
  • 9% Amphetamine Use
30-day use measured 6 months after treatment
  • 36% Illegal drug use
  • 15% Cocaine use
  • 27% Cannabis use
  • 2% Amphetamine use

key findings graph for columbia

U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (2008).  Effectiveness of INL Treatment Training in Colombia:  A 2008 Follow-Up Study. Social Solutions International.  Washington, D.C.

Thailand

An evaluation of 21 drug treatment programs after an extensive Therapeutic Community training program revealed substantial long-term reductions in client drug use and associated behaviors six months after treatment.  These associated behaviors included illegal income and arrests.  While numerous studies have demonstrated successful outcomes for former TC residents, Thailand’s TCs noted the greatest prevalence reductions of illegal substances.

percent of client drug use thailand

Key Findings

Illegal drug use 6 months prior to treatment

  • Males – 90%
  • Females – 92%
Illegal drug use 6 months after treatment
  • Males – 8%
  • Females – 10%

Additional Behavior Outcomes

  • 87% reduction in re-arrests
  • 88% reduction in income from illegal sources
  • 80% reduction in overdoses
  • 66% reduction in drug injection

Johnson, K., Young, L., Pan, T., Zimmerman, R. & Vanderhoff, J. (2007).  Therapeutic Communities (TC) Drug Treatment Success in Thailand:  A 2006 Follow-Up Study.  Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. Louisville.

Peru

In a training of treatment staff from 76 organizations in Peru followed by a random assignment study to ensure that the training achieved its objectives, the treatment programs that received TC training had a positive impact on clients’ quality of life.

peru client drug use

Key Findings

30-day use prior to treatment

  • 90% Illegal drug use
  • 30% Cocaine use
  • 37% Cannabis Use
30-day use measured 6 months after treatment
  • 34% Illegal drug use
  • 8% Cocaine use
  • 13% Cannabis use

Additional Behavior Outcomes

  • 89% Crime free after 6 months
  • 65% Employed after 6 months 

peru arrested drug for use
6 months after treatment
Johnson, K., Young, L., Vanderhoff, J., Pan, T. & Linfield, K. (2005). Peruvian TC Drug-Free Treatment Training:  A 2003 Follow-Up Outcome Study. Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. Louisville.