Impact of Substance Abuse Treatment on Employment Outcomes Among AFDC Clients in Washington State

• NCJ Number: 190753
• Author(s): Thomas M. Wickizer Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 55 pages
• Contract Number(s): 270-95-0023; 270-00-7071
• Sponsoring Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin (SAMHSA)
• Corporate Author: University of Washington
• Sale Source: SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Technical Assistance Publication Series 25

Annotation

This study analyzes the effects of drug treatment on employment among recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) who were admitted to drug treatment in Washington.

Abstract

The study also aimed to illustrate the potential for States to use data from State administrative databases for tracking client outcomes and conducting timely evaluation research. Data came from 5,644 Washington State AFDC individuals admitted to drug treatment from July 1994 to June 1996. Participants were receiving financial assistance from AFDC at the time of their admission. Data on their treatment and employment outcomes (employment, earnings, and welfare payments) came from administrative databases maintained by the State. Employment data spanned 5 years and welfare payment data spanned 4 years beginning in July 1993. The research examined the effects of three treatment modalities: outpatient treatment, intensive residential treatment, and methadone maintenance. Results revealed that drug treatment had positive effects on employment and earnings in this population. AFDC individuals in the three drug treatment groups were 50 to 100 percent more likely to become employed in the 2-year period after treatment than were their counterparts in comparison groups. The AFDC individuals in the drug treatment groups had adjusted aggregate earned income levels in the 2-year post-treatment period that were approximately $1,700 to $3,200 higher than the income levels among their counterparts in comparison groups. The finding that drug treatment had positive effects on employment and earnings was robust across all three treatment methods. However, earnings remained low despite gains in income following drug treatment and were too low for most individuals to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The research also illustrated a useful approach to performing evaluation research: analyzing data provided by computerized State administrative databases. Figures, appended methodological information, and 20 references