UH: working reduces rate of drug use
Researchers at UH have found an unexpected benefit from welfare reform -- reduced chronic drug use:
The study led by Isaac D. Montoya found that welfare reform - primarily designed to transition women from welfare to work - also may be a significant factor in drug abuse prevention and education.
"Our research yielded such significant results that we feel these findings ultimately can and should be extrapolated to additional populations. In the U.S., alone, nearly 20 million Americans abuse drugs, with women being less likely to seek treatment than men. And the fact that risk factors and predictors vary across demographics underscores the need to target various sub- populations," he said.
[snip]
A positive correlation was found between employment and the reduction of chronic drug use within welfare populations, providing definitive data that supports "work therapy" as a tertiary prevention model for drug addiction as an alternative or in addition to traditional therapy options like programs and meetings.
"The study demonstrates that welfare reform policy has an unintended benefit. Employment promotes a healthy lifestyle by providing structure, income and benefits that increase self esteem and a sense of purpose. These elements may not be provided when recipients simply attend 12-step meetings," Montoya added.
According to this press release on the findings, Montoya's next step will be to design a work therapy model to deter drug use.
This all seems like such common sense, but it is excellent news that the study was done and that the results can be put to good use. There were some who weren't fans of welfare reform and this is yet more proof that there are tangible benefits.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/02/04 07:31 AM | Print |
Previous Entry | Home | Next Entry
ADVERTISING
DISCLAIMER
All content © 2004-09, blogHOUSTON and the respective authors.
blogHOUSTON.net is powered by Nucleus.
Site design and Nucleus customization are by Kevin Whited.