Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention Program Generates $16 Million in Potenti...( WHITE PLAINS N.Y. Nov. 25 /- Pennsylv...),Health

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania will benefit a potential $16 million return on investment for its implementation of the top-rated Botvin LifeSkills Training program, a drug abuse and violence prevention program. According to a report released by the Prevention Research Center at Pennsylvania State University, the low cost and wide reach of this highly effective program yields a return on investment of more than $25 for each dollar invested. Researchers calculated the projected economic impact using data from a landmark assessment of costs and benefits performed by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy and applying those figures to data on implementation of the LifeSkills Training program.

Over the past decade, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has provided funding of more than $60 million to its communities to implement proven-effective programs under the state's Research-based Programs Initiative. The Prevention Research Center at Pennsylvania State University analyzed the results of this investment in its report entitled "The Economic Return on PCCD's Investment in Research-based Programs: A cost-benefit assessment of delinquency prevention in Pennsylvania." The Center found that investing in these programs represents a potential $317 million return to the state in terms of reduced corrections costs, welfare and social services burden, drug and mental health treatment, and increased employment and tax revenue.

Of the seven research-based programs funded by the PCCD, the Botvin LifeSkills Training program showed the highest per dollar return on investment.

An estimated 20,000 Pennsylvania middle school students currently receive the Botvin LifeSkills Training program at approximately 100 sites statewide. The LifeSkills Training curriculum aims to prevent substance abuse and violen
'/>"/>