The ROSIE Study Drug Treatment Outcomes in Ireland

Abstract

The ROSIE study played an important role in developing and informing drugs policy in Ireland. The study was commissioned to establish the current impact of methadone treatment on the health of individuals and on offending behaviour. The fact that over 8,700 people are now included in the methadone programme represents a signifi cant achievement and illustrates the focus that the Government is putting on tackling the problem of drugs misuse. The outcome of this research shows that treatment does work. There were signifi cant reductions in drug use after one year in treatment and those in treatment also reported that their involvement in crime had reduced very signifi cantly. A number of those in treatment have also undergone training and some have gained employment