How serious is the substance abuse problem in Oklahoma?
Substance abuse is the number one public health problem in Oklahoma and nationally. The economic cost is staggering, estimated at nearly $7 billion annually in Oklahoma and $414 billion nationwide. Annual costs of substance abuse in Oklahoma are nearly $2 billion for expenses related to health care, public safety, social services, costs to business, and property loss. Another $5 billion in costs is related to lost productivity. In Oklahoma, drug and alcohol addiction contributes to 85 percent of all homicides, 80 percent of all prison incarcerations, 75 percent of all divorces, 65 percent of all child abuse cases, 55 percent of all domestic assaults, 50 percent of all traffic fatalities, 35 percent of all rapes, and 33 percent of all suicides.
