Funding for Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Prevention and Research

Alcohol and drug addiction is a preventable and treatable disease -- just like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. People with addictions can recover and have a meaningful life in the community if they get the help they need.

In the United States today:

  • Addiction afflicts one in ten Americans and affects one of every four children; but only 11% of the 23.6 million people who need treatment for alcohol and drug problems receive it.
  • Addiction treatment results are sustainable - studies have found that, one year after completion of treatment, there is a 67% reduction in weekly cocaine use, a 65% reduction in weekly heroin use, a 52% decrease in heavy alcohol use, a 61% reduction in illegal activity, and a 46% decrease in suicidal ideation.
  • Addiction treatment has been shown to cut alcohol and drug use in half, reduce crime by 80 percent and arrests by up to 64 percent.


Advocacy: Appropriations

LAC conducts national advocacy to maintain and expand funding for drug and alcohol treatment, prevention, and research programs. In collaboration with our partners at the State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS), we prepare and release many helpful advocacy materials. Some recent documents are listed below.

FY 2012

FY 2011

Materials