| Drug abuse affects not only the addict but also his | | | | that are used in the process. Inhaling fumes and |
| family, friends, the neighborhood, and society at large. | | | | gases from these chemicals can put their health to |
| It also affects businesses and government resources, | | | | great risk. |
| which can well be borne out by the fact that the | | | | The cost on society due to drug abuse is colossal |
| United States had to bear the brunt of an economic | | | | because the likelihood of employment-related |
| cost of $180.9 billion for drug abuse. | | | | accidents is very high when there are drug abusers |
| Drug abuse affects the health of the user, bringing | | | | among the employees of a business. Moreover, such |
| about sickness and even death. Moreover, | | | | employees who are drug abusers tend to pilfer |
| needle-borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and | | | | materials, cash, and products in order to generate |
| hepatitis are most likely to afflict the drug user. | | | | money to buy drugs. The cost on society goes up |
| Widespread devastating effects of these diseases | | | | further because of low productivity, absenteeism, |
| can be expected because nearly 3.5 million people | | | | and higher insurance and medical payouts by the |
| over the age of 18 have confirmed that they had | | | | employers of such drug abusers. |
| injected illicit drugs in their lifetime. | | | | The cost on society also escalates when the |
| People who are drug abusers would go to any length | | | | clandestine methamphetamine laboratories are |
| in order to get the drugs and in this process they | | | | cleaned up by the authorities and this cost has been |
| neglect the welfare and health of their children. These | | | | estimated to be over $18.6 million in a year. There |
| children are put to greater risk when illicit drugs like | | | | are many other costs on society that cannot be |
| methamphetamine are produced in their homes by | | | | quantified. |
| their parents because of the hazardous chemicals | | | | |