Pubdate: Wed, 13 Feb 2002
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: Philip Johnston

HARD CORE OF ADDICTS COST NATION 'UKP19 BILLION'

Heroin and crack cocaine addicts are costing the country up to UKP19 
billion a year, according to a new study.

A hard core of problem drug abusers is running up a bill of UKP600 a week 
each in crime, police and court time, health care and unemployment benefits.

So-called "recreational" drug users cost the taxpayer virtually nothing. 
The figures represent the first comprehensive picture of the economic and 
social costs of drug misuse in Britain.

Research commissioned by the Home Office from a team at York University 
suggests that the annual economic costs are between UKP3.7 billion and 
UKP6.8 billion. Most of these fall on the criminal justice system because 
of high crime levels linked to drugs and include insurance payouts, repairs 
to damaged property, time lost at work and victim counselling.

They reflect the financial consequences of serious and organised crime, 
burglaries and robberies, violence, and the "hidden" social costs in 
schools and at home.

Last year, the NHS spent about UKP235 million on GP services, accident and 
emergency admissions and treatment linked to drug abuse. When social costs 
are added, the bill rises to between UKP10.9 billion and UKP18.8 billion.

This figure is higher than earlier estimates. A Government White Paper 
outlining a 10-year drug strategy in 1998 said annual costs were more than 
UKP4 billion.

The researchers, whose full report has not yet been published, say the 
minimum number of problem drug users is 280,000 and they are responsible 
for 99 per cent of costs. Using the study's lowest estimates for cost and 
users, each addict would be costing about UKP30,000 a year, or UKP600 a week.

The figures were given to the Commons home affairs select committee 
yesterday as it concluded its inquiry into drug laws. Its report is 
expected this spring.

Problem users are defined as those for whom drug taking is no longer 
controlled or undertaken for recreation, but where they are a "more 
essential element" of life.

Last year, the NHS treated 120,000 users in this category. The Home Office 
says 140,000 of the problem users are at risk of dying from an overdose.

There are at least 1.5 million recreational and regular users of class A 
drugs. The average cost to society of all class A drug users is UKP2,030 
each a year, says the study.

Bob Ainsworth, a Home Office minister, told MPs the Government did not 
intend to legalise or decriminalise any drug, although he confirmed plans 
to reclassify cannabis from a Class B to a Class C substance in the spring.

This would make possession of cannabis no longer an arrestable offence, but 
police could still confiscate the drug and issue a warning. It would bring 
the rest of the country in line with Lambeth, south London, where police 
run such a system.

Mr Ainsworth agreed that a "postcode lottery" had developed, with cannabis 
users treated differently across the country. This would be eradicated by 
reclassification, though this must be endorsed by the Advisory Council on 
the Misuse of Drugs.

Roger Howard, chief executive of the charity DrugScope, said: "There should 
be less emphasis on criminalising drug users and more resources 
concentrated on treatment, education and prevention."
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MAP posted-by: Beth