News
Article Notes NPC's Role in Major Study of Oregon's Recovering Addicts After Receiving Publicly Funded Treatment
The Statesman Journal of Salem, Oregon, reported recently that a study of publicly funded addiction services found that more people are staying clean and having fewer mental health issues as a result of treatment. The Journal's Web version of the story by reporter Saerom Yoo included NPC's August 2011 report and research brief. The State's Addictions and Mental Health Division contracted with NPC to conduct the study.
Approximately 90 percent of study participants reported abstinence from illicit drug use one year after treatment enrollment, according to the article. Tim Murphy, the executive director of Bridgeway Recovery Services in Salem, said the report shows that public investment in treatment pays off in multiple ways. Bridgeway was one of 15 treatment providers throughout the state that participated in the study.
The article also said that Karen Wheeler, Oregon Health Authority's addiction programs administrator, was surprised to learn how much treatment helped with mental health issues. The report pointed out a 67 percent decrease in people experiencing depression one year after treatment, compared with baseline results, and a 53 percent decrease in those experiencing anxiety.
NPC Research Recognized for Exemplary Workplace Practices
NPC Research has been honored with the 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility for its use of flexibility as an effective workplace strategy to increase business and employee success.
This prestigious award, part of the national When Work Works project, recognizes employers of all sizes and types in Oregon and across the country. A luncheon on Nov. 18, 2011, honored NPC Research, Intel, Portland State University, and other award recipients (see photo: from left, Executive Vice Presidents Juliette Mackin and Shannon Carey, President Michael Finigan, and Vice President Veronica Roth-Finigan).
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition for our workplace practices,” said Michael Finigan, NPC Research president and founder. “NPC has strived to create a flexible, supportive, and creative work environment. Each and every employee makes a valuable contribution to the success of our company.”
Examples of flexibility at NPC include telecommuting, flexible hours to allow for family and other obligations, part-time hours, volunteer activities, space allowance for on-site yoga and child care, paid family leave, and the opportunity for extended personal leave.
Workplace flexibility—such as flextime, part-time work and compressed workweeks—has been demonstrated to help businesses remain competitive while also benefiting employees as well.
“Our research consistently finds that employees in effective and flexible workplaces have greater engagement on the job and greater desire to stay with their organization. In addition, they report lower stress levels and better overall health,” stated Ellen Galinsky, president of Families and Work Institute (FWI), a research think tank on workforce and workplace trends that administers the awards.
The Sloan Awards are unique for their rigorous, two-step selection process, which involves an evaluation of employers’ flexibility programs and practices, and a confidential employee survey. All applicants are measured against national norms from FWI’s National Study of Employers. To learn more visit http://whenworkworks.org/awards/2011index.html.
NPC President Presents at Conference in Chile on Drug Court Costs
In the fall of 2011, the Organization of American States invited NPC President Michael Finigan to present at a conference in Santiago, Chile, on drug court evaluation, something that is to date unexplored in that country. Dr. Finigan’s presentation focused on drug court costs. He explained that policymakers face tremendous challenges in providing cost-effective public services. Limited financial resources require difficult decisions to be made about resource allocation. Cost-benefit analysis is an effective tool to help with these decisions.
Citing significant cost savings of drug courts in Portland, OR, and other cities, Dr. Finigan concluded by noting that drug courts reduce recidivism, reduce drug use, improve the lives of the participants and their families, and save taxpayer dollars.Article Details Child Welfare Cost Savings of a Family Drug Court
Family drug courts are programs that serve the complex needs of families involved
with the child welfare system due to parental substance abuse. A new article published in Juvenile and Family Court Journal by NPC Research authors Juliette Mackin and Mike Finigan, with former NPC researcher Scott Burrus, summarizes the results of outcomes and selected costs of a system-wide reform located in Baltimore, Maryland. Results from this study found that parents served by the program entered treatment faster, stayed in treatment longer, and completed treatment more often than non-served parents. See full article.
NPC Research Moves to New Building in Southwest Portland
NPC moved to Riverside Centre in early June 2011. Please note our new address: 5100 SW Macadam Ave., Ste. 575; Portland, OR 97239-3867. For directions to our new office, please visit our Contact page.
