Drug treatment has a huge impact on Maryland hospitals, Baltimore City officials said Thursday.

Two studies commissioned by Baltimore show the city bears the brunt of treating heroin addicts in the emergency room, and that clinical treatment is far cheaper and more effective.

The studies, by researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Center for Health Program Development and Management, show previously untracked costs of treating opiate use in Maryland’s hospitals.

“It would be a humongous victory for public health if we could have doctors across the state thinking they could provide effective treatments for not just heroin, but other addictions,” Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein said. Currently, the best bet is to seek help at a dedicated drug treatment center, he said, “then once they get stabilized, move on to their doctors.”

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Treating heroin users cost Maryland $99 million in fiscal 2005, according to the first study, with more than $60 million of that bill footed in Baltimore City. More than one in three users had no health insurance, meaning their treatment was covered by higher hospital and health-insurance rates.

Many patients diagnosed with untreated opiate-related problems also suffered from HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis and other health and psychological problems, according to the study.

The second study reviewed 13 clinical trials comparing buprenorphine and methadone and determined both were effective treatments for opiate addiction.

“This new research shows that effective drug treatment can save the health care system significant sums of money, even as it saves lives and restores our communities,” Mayor Sheila Dixon said in a statement.

Co-sponsor Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems Inc. used the studies to call for expanding drug treatment funds, organization President Adam Brickner said.

Baltimore provides free treatment certification for any doctor willing to treat patients with buprenorphine, which is federally restricted to 30 patients per doctor. After one year, a certified practitioner may expand treatment to 100 patients, according to a compromise reached late last year.

The National Institutes of Health defines opiate addiction as a “brain-related medical disorder that can be effectively treated with significant benefits for the patient and society.”

You either pay to treat, or you pay more once users lose control, Sharfstein said.

“Treatment reduces crime. Treatment reduces medical complications,” he said. “Treatment helps people regain control of their lives.”

khille@baltimoreexaminer.com