Drug Abuse Addiction is Costly
Drug abuse is a major public health problem that impacts society on multiple levels. Directly or indirectly, every community is affected by drug abuse and addiction, as is every family. Drugs take a tremendous toll on our society at many levels.
Substance Abuse Costs Our Nation More than $484 Billion per Year
The Costs of Drug Abuse are as Substantial as that of other Chronic Conditions:
* Diabetes costs society $131.7 billion annually
* Cancer costs society $171.6 billion annually
This includes health care expenditures, lost earnings, and costs associated with crime and accidents. This is an enormous burden that affects all of society – those who abuse these substances, and those who don’t.
Americans Perceive Drug Abuse as a Major Public Health Problem
Many of America’s top medical problems can be directly linked to drug abuse:
* Cancer: Tobacco contributes to 11-30% of cancer deaths.
* Heart Disease: Researchers have found a connection between the abuse of tobacco, cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamines, and steroids and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Tobacco is responsible for approximately 30% of all heart disease deaths each year.
* HIV/AIDS: Approximately one-third of AIDS cases reported in 2000 (11,635) and most cases of hepatitis C (approximately 25,000 in 2001) in the United States are associated with injection drug use.
* Approximately half of pediatric AIDS cases (4,700 reported through 2002) result from injection drug use or sex with injection drug users by the child’s mother.
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Wow. I had no idea that one third of the HIV/AIDS was due to drug injections. I thought it was all due to unprotected intercourse. Thanks for the information.