The Cost of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse and addiction cost federal, state and local governments more than $460 billion in 2005, a new report indicates. The same report, “Shoveling Up II: The Impact of Substance Abuse on Federal, State and Local Budgets,” also put spending related to substance abuse in Ohio at nearly $5.4 billion, or nearly $469 per capita.
The report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is the result of a three-year study to assess the costs of tobacco, alcohol and illegal and prescription drug abuse at all levels of government. Using the most conservative assumptions, the report said, the study concluded that the federal government spent $238.2 billion, states $135.8 billion, and local governments $93.8 billion in 2005, the most recent year for which data were available.
The report found that of $373.9 billion, 95.6%, or $357.4 billion, went to address the consequences of substance abuse and addiction, while only 1.9% went to prevention and treatment, 0.4% to research, 1.4% to taxation and 0.7% to interdiction.
Ohio’s spending on substance abuse’s consequences totaled $4.9 billion, roughly 12% of state spending in 2005, while spending on prevention, treatment and research only accounted for 0.3% of the overall state budget. For every dollar spent on substance abuse, 1 cent went to prevention, 1 cent to treatment, 7 cents to regulation and compliance, and 90 cents to cover the associated burden on public services.
“This report clearly illustrates the astounding impact untreated substance abuse and addiction has on our state’s bottom line,” said Angela Cornelius Dawson, director of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. “While the economic forces that are driving budget decisions are out of our control, it is imperative that we focus our efforts on strategic investments that can save our state money. Alcohol and drug addiction services are one such investment that continues to demonstrate a positive return.”
In fact, her office and the National Institute on Drug Abuse both estimate that every dollar spent on prevention saves $7 in related expenses.
We at williamjordandirect the recovery is possible all day people feel that the public needs to be informed on drug abuse.The lie that this illness is not treatable and preventable has to be smashed.This cost could be reduced if measures are taken to treat and prevent the illness.
Source Published 2009 The Business Journal, Youngstown,
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