NCJ Number
190738
Date Published
2001
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This document discusses the costs of substance abuse on State and local levels.
Abstract
Substance abuse problems cost the Nation more than $275 billion annually. Although much of the public debate over drug policy involves national strategy, many of the critical choices are made at the State and local level. The Governors Leadership Council (GLC) is composed of distinguished former governors from both political parties to provide insight into the major issues at the state and local level that shape drug policy and the far-reaching choices that accompany them. Research has shown that treatment is the most cost-effective way to reduce addiction, the growing burden of drug-related crime, and health care costs. Promising programs include Washington State’s Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, which places evaluation and research at the forefront of its agenda. New Jersey’s Substance Abuse Research Demonstration project screens women for substance abuse problems in welfare settings and refers them to treatment. Preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among the Nation’s children is an important goal that doesn’t get enough drug budget support in most States. Although treatment has proved effective, programs are still scarce. In 1999, treatment was available for less than one in three of the estimated 10 million Americans with severe alcohol or drug problems. Enforcement has dominated State drug control strategy for the past two decades. Prison spending is now the fastest growing category in State budgets, exceeding the rates of increase in State spending on health, welfare, and education. Sentencing large numbers of low-level drug offenders to stiff prison terms has proved to be an expensive failure.