The High Cost of Drug Addiction

rug addiction not only ruins the lives of addicts and their families, but costs America billions of dollars. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates the total cost of substance abuse in the United States at more than $484 billion per year. Federal, state and local governments pay costs associated with medical treatment, social work, criminal investigation, court proceedings, incarceration and controlling drug traffic. Illicit drug use is associated with HIV-AIDS and hepatitis C through the sharing of contaminated needles, and controlling drug traffic complicates relations with such countries as Mexico, Colombia and Afghanistan. Clearly such a drug as vigabatrin (CPP-109), which promises to treat cocaine, methamphetamine and other addictions, could have a dramatic social impact. Investment opportunities in a treatment would be substantial.