Methadone treatment results in large falls in drug use and drug-related crime, according to research published by the Government on August 14.
The research found that heroin use by addicts at an east London drug clinic fell by 56 per cent as a result of treatment. Treatment also resulted in a 52 per cent fall in thefts and a 64 per cent fall in drug dealing. Researchers estimated that average illegal income over six months fell by £8,054 after starting treatment, compared to a treatment cost of £960.