The Costs and Cost-effectiveness of Implementing In-person and Computerized Interventions to Enhance Treatment Receipt among Drug-involved Probationers

• In Event: Motivational and Technology-Based Approaches to Reducing Substance Use Among Probationers: Results from a Multi-Site RCT

Abstract

Substance use treatment in the criminal justice system is generally cost-effective and cost-beneficial. However, estimates on the cost and cost-effectiveness of services to enhance treatment receipt among drug-involved probationers are relatively sparse. To our knowledge, there is no published study of the cost-effectiveness of MI as a pre-treatment intervention in a criminal justice setting. Similarly, there is no evidence to date on the cost-effectiveness of relevant web-based interventions in a criminal justice setting. This study builds on previously presented work to assess the relative cost and cost-effectiveness of MI and MAPIT. The analytic perspective is the criminal justice system and we calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Preliminary findings at the 2-month follow-up suggest that MAPIT is both less expensive and less effective than MI at engaging probationers in treatment. Our results indicate that it costs approximately $50 to achieve a 1 point improvement in the probability of initiating formal treatment or self-help. Results from the 6-month follow-up will also be presented.

Authors

• Alexander J. Cowell, RTI International

• Gary A. Zarkin, RTI International

• Brendan Wedehase, RTI International

• Scott T. Walters, University of North Texas Health Science Center

• Faye S. Taxman, George Mason University