NCJ Number
155850
Date Published
1991
Length
96 pages
Annotation
This report assesses the costs to society of crack and cocaine abuse and dropping out of school, as well as policies that have successfully addressed these problems, based on data from State and municipal governments, community leaders, schools, and drug abuse professionals in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.
Abstract
The analysis indicated that the total economic costs of drug abuse in the United States were between $60.4 billion and $124.9 billion in 1988. This figure includes the costs of health care, reduced productivity, employment loss, crime, law enforcement, and lost productivity for incarcerated offenders. The analysis indicated that drug abuse is related to and a symptom of several social problems. Recommended actions to address the problem are an extensive and honest search for fact; the establishment of cooperative networks to exchange and evaluate information, experience, and local policy; and hearings on community approaches to drugs and education. A useful resource is the Texas report called "The Humanities and Public Issues", which focuses on the need to address the economy, the environment, the family, the community, cultural pluralism, civic interaction, and equality of opportunity. Footnotes and approximately 350 references