winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Drinking, drugging cost big

winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Drinking, drugging cost big: "Drinking, drugging cost bigSubstance abuse adds up
By ADAM CLAYTON, STAFF REPORTER

A new study suggests substance abuse is setting Manitobans back a whopping $324 million a year.
A national study reveals the total annual cost of substance abuse --including alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco -- was $281 for each person in Manitoba in 2002. The study, conducted on behalf of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and other organizations, examined the direct impact of substance abuse on health care and law enforcement as well as indirect costs such as loss of productivity.
Across Canada, the total cost of substance abuse increased from $18.5 billion in 1992 to $39.8 billion a decade later.
The study found 61% of that amount stems from productivity losses from death or illness caused by substance abuse.
LEGAL DRUGS

By comparison, the provincial budget for Manitoba in 2002 was $6.9 billion.
John Borody, CEO of the Addictions Foundation, said most people think substance abuse mainly affects 'street people' when it in fact costs each and every Manitoban.
'They don't realize it's also people wearing business suits, it's people working in manufacturing -- it affects us all,' he said. 'And sometimes it's your family member.'
The study showed approximately 80% of the costs of substance abuse stem from the use of legal drugs -- alcohol and tobacco. Borody said most individuals seeking treatment through AFM have alcohol problems.
The study found that health-care costs attributed to alcohol abuse were nearly $114 million in Manitoba in 2002. An estimated 30% of all recorded criminal offences were alcohol related, at a cost of $28.5 million.
The study showed approximately 80% of the costs of substance abuse stem from the use of legal drugs -- alcohol and tobacco. Borody said most individuals seeking treatment through AFM have alcohol problems.

The study found that health-care costs attributed to alcohol abuse were nearly $114 million in Manitoba in 2002. An estimated 30% of all recorded criminal offences were alcohol related, at a cost of $28.5 million.

Illegal drug use set the provincial health-care system back nearly $35 million while the cost of crime related to drug use was pegged at $24.5 million.


Interesting article .The question becomes what do we do about it. Rather then increase taxes,tack on punnative tolls with rules that do not work-ie more studies with no action -why not get better services that work or deliver their stated objectives , PR