Social Costs
Crime
70% of those incarcerated in our prisons are there for drug and alcohol related crimes (Chief Roper & Department of Corrections)
Domestic violence and abuse
75% is caused by drug abuse (CASA – Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse – Columbia University)
Homelessness
54% of the chronic homeless in our area have substance abuse issues (Birmingham Plan to Prevent and End Chronic Homelessness)
Health care costs
- Substance abuse is the number one health issue facing America today. (CDC- Center for Disease Control, Atlanta)
- 41% of US women infected with HIV is due to needle sharing ( Minnesota Department of Health)
- 25-40% of all patients in US beds are treated for complications of alcohol-related problems (CASA)
- 25% of hospital costs of the Greatest Generation (Office of National Drug Control Policy)
School dropout rates
47% alcohol related, 22% drug related (SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Teen suicides
60% are drug and/or alcohol related (National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center)
Business costs
estimated to be over $81 billion annually in lost productivity (Office of National Drug Control Policy)
Local Reality
Daily use of 6-8 graders
state % national %
Alcohol 2.3% 1.4%
Drugs 3.2% 2.4%
Means 1 student in each class
Daily use of 9-12 graders
state % national %
Alcohol 4.5% 3.7%
Drugs 7.5% 7.3%
Means at least 2 students in each class
Source: PRIDE Report (national study on student behavior) – Alabama
122,223 need treatment and only 13,079 are receiving treatment which is about 11%
Source: DMH (State of Alabama Department of mental Health) – 14 county area including Jefferson
Alabama is #41 out of 45 in per capita spending on prevention, treatment and research
Alabama is #4 out of 45 in the “burden” of substance abuse – the social costs
Source: CASA Study
Public Awareness
There have been dramatic increases year-over-year (2009 over 2008) in monthly usage for grades 9-12
Alcohol up 11%
Marijuana up 19%
Ecstasy up 67%
There is a growing belief in acceptability of drug use and drinking
“friends get high at parties” – increased to 75% from 69%
“being high feels good” – up to 51% from 45%
“don’t want to hang around drug users” – down to 30% from 35%
Source: PATS Study 03.02.10 (2009 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study – released March 2 by Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the MetLife Foundation)
The Dutch study shows that by letting teenagers drink at home still stimulates more drinking regardless of perception by parents of higher degree of safety
SAMSHA facts
Children who begin before age 15 are 5 times more likely than those who start after 21 to develop alcohol problems
The chances of becoming dependent decrease by 14% for each year that alcohol use is delayed.
The value of treatment
$7 social cost savings for each $1 spent
CASA – 17 state study – $9 per $1 spent
CASA – Treatment versus incarceration – 10% staying substance and crime free and employed is breakeven versus cost of prison (02.26.10)