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ADDICTION TREATMENT WORKS By Robert Newman, MD Usually "news" is considered of value only if it is very current. There are, however, exceptions, and one example is a particularly clear, concise and compelling report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association six years ago (Marwick C: Physician Leadership on National Drug Policy Finds Addiction Treatment Works. JAMA, 279(15):1149-1151, 1996). The bottom line: drug addiction treatment is effective - a conclusion based on ". . . data analysis of more than 600 peer-reviewed research articles." To put this observation into perspective, it was stated that, "Drug dependence is a treatable, though chronic, medical condition . . . [and] can be treated with as much success as illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension." Clearly, the nihilistic view of many physicians, politicians and members of the public regarding the ability to respond effectively to drug dependence is not warranted. By the same token, knowing what CAN be done is also a clear challenge regarding what MUST be done, in the interests of individuals who seek help as well as the community as a whole.
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