Impact

Total cost of smoking includes $170 billion annually in direct medical costs for adults and more than $156 billion in lost productivity due to effects of secondhand smoke and premature death.

Binge drinking accounts for $191 billion annually.

More than 27 million Americans―one in nine―abuse at least one substance.

Only 3 million Americans receive substance abuse treatment.

Substance abuse is directly related to spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, fatal overdose, effects on unborn children, crime, unemployment, domestic abuse, divorce and homelessness.

Drug abuse costs the nation more than $120 billion per year in lost productivity.

According to National Drug Intelligence Center estimates, drug abuse accounts for $49 billion in reduced workdays, $48 billion in incarceration expenses and $4 billion due to premature deaths.

National Drug Intelligence Center estimates annual cost of drug-related crime in the United States is more than $61 billion with criminal justice comprising $56 billion of that cost.

70% of arrestees test positive for illicit substances at the time of arrest.

Annual cost of emergency department visits related to drug abuse is $161 million.

A 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health concluded more than 20 million people 16 years or older drove after drinking alcohol. 11.8 million drove after taking illicit drugs.

Annual Financial Burden in United States

Tobacco$300 billion

Alcohol$249 billion

Illicit Drugs$193 billion

Prescription opioids$78.5 billion