Is prevention cheaper than treatment?
Yes. Each year substance abuse costs the United States more than $740 billion. That's enough money to end world hunger....twice.
This staggering number includes not only treatment but also substance-related crime, health issues, road safety, foster care, and more.
It may surprise you that Columbus, OH is ranked #3 in U.S. cities with the most heroin use (3% of the population). In fact, the American Addiction Centers website estimates, based on research, that 64% of Columbus's population uses marijuana, 20% uses cocaine, and 12% uses meth.
What if we could step in and stop substance abuse before it starts? Prevention programs could save our country nearly $100 billion a year. |