A new report estimates that Illinois spends $4.8 billion annually on substance abuse and addiction. Only 4 percent of that goes toward prevention and treatment.
A new report estimates that Illinois spends $4.8 billion annually on substance abuse and addiction. Only 4 percent of that goes toward prevention and treatment. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is releasing the report Thursday in Washington. The report says most spending goes toward cleaning up the consequences of addiction. That means prisons and health care. The report uses prior research to estimate the fraction of such spending that can be attributed to alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. The report says abuse and addiction cost federal, state and local governments nearly $468 billion in 2005. Sara Howe of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association says more funding for treatment would save money and lives. ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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