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Substance Abuse Treatment Centers and Local Crime

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  • Samuel R. Bondurant
  • Jason M. Lindo
  • Isaac D. Swensen

Abstract

In this paper we estimate the effects of expanding access to substance-abuse treatment on local crime. We do so using an identification strategy that leverages variation driven by substance-abuse-treatment facility openings and closings measured at the county level. The results indicate that substance-abuse-treatment facilities reduce both violent and financially motivated crimes in an area, and that the effects are particularly pronounced for relatively serious crimes. The effects on homicides are documented across three sources of homicide data.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel R. Bondurant & Jason M. Lindo & Isaac D. Swensen, 2016. "Substance Abuse Treatment Centers and Local Crime," NBER Working Papers 22610, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:22610
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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