Is providing drug abuse treatment to offenders worth the financial investment?
In 2002, it was estimated that the cost to society of drug abuse was $180.9 billion (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2004), a substantial portion of which—$107.8 billion—is associated with drug-related crime, including criminal justice system costs and costs borne by victims of crime. The cost of treating drug abuse (including research, training, and prevention efforts) was estimated to be $15.8 billion, a fraction of these overall societal costs.
In 2002, it was estimated that the cost to society of drug abuse was $180.9 billion (Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), 2004), a substantial portion of which—$107.8 billion—is associated with drug-related crime, including criminal justice system costs and costs borne by victims of crime. The cost of treating drug abuse (including research, training, and prevention efforts) was estimated to be $15.8 billion, a fraction of these overall societal costs (ONDCP, 2004).
