NCJ Number
164709
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 31 Issue: 6 Dated: (1996) Pages: 767-770
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) related problems in the United States claim more than 500,000 lives every year; the most critical issue for the future of ATOD prevention and intervention is to inform public policy decisionmakers and the general public about the interrelatedness of ATOD use and the personal and societal problems associated with it; this article provides examples of such problems.
Abstract
ATOD use contributes significantly to the United States' health care bill, as well as to the Federal deficit. ATOD use has been implicated as a factor in many of the United States' most serious and expensive problems, including violence, injury, child and spousal abuse, contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy, car crashes, and accidents and injuries in the workplace. All of these factors add to escalating medical costs. In both animal and human studies, alcohol, more than any other drug, has been linked to a high incidence of violence and aggression. The impaired judgment and violence induced by alcohol and illicit drug use contribute significantly to crime. Young people are especially vulnerable to becoming involved in car crashes after drinking due to their lack of driving experience; the leading cause of death for a 16- year-old in the United States is still an alcohol or other drug- related car crash. Approximately 70 percent of all illegal drug users in the United States are employed. Persons with alcohol and other drug problems are less productive, use more sick leave, and are more likely to injure themselves or others and require workers' compensation claims. It is imperative for policymakers to understand the extent of the societal costs of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, so that they can support laws and public policies that protect life and health and save financial resources. 15 references