A new government analysis reveals, drug abuse is costing Scottish tax-payers £3.5-billion per year i.e. 61,000 per user in drug abuse costs, according to a new estimate of the burden on the NHS, criminal justice system and wider society.
The report into the scale and impact of the illicit drugs market, estimates both the market size and cost of the abuse, with the figures suggesting over 55,000 Scots are taking drugs, almost 4,000 more than the total three years previously, spending £1.4-billion per year to feed their habits.
Using Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency figures, the reports authors found Scotland's heroin users consume almost 11.5-tonnes of the drug, calculating the country's heroin market to be just below £551-million or £11,000 per user.
It is becoming increasingly clear that more action needs to be taken to prevent drug abuse, even as recorded drug crimes are increasing, and evidence points to a worsening situation. The annual cost of drug-related crime is about £610-million, including £190-million for frauds and forgeries, £120-million for thefts from homes and over £50-million for goods shoplifted.
Care costs, like social workers for looking after addicts and their families, amount to £112-million, with £819-million the estimated loss to the economy attributed to drug users not working. The economic cost of 'the emotional and physical pain' addicts, their relatives and friends endure is put at over £1.7-billion, with on average, problem drug users estimated to cost the public purse over £60,000 each per year According to the new estimates, NHS spends over £180-million per year in treating addicts and prescribing substances like the heroin substitute methadone.
While, the total value of the illegal drugs market is £1.4-billion and the total economic and social cost estimated to be £3.5-billion, researchers calculate this is the result of 2006 problem drug users spending over £900-million to feed their habit, with recreational drug users spending £518-million. Figures which highlight the importance of developing a new drug addiction tackling strategy and helping people recover.
SNP ministers promised action on reducing waiting times for drug treatment, however, Opposition parties claim budgets for rehabilitation services are being cut next year, with the draft budget proposal for cutting spending on drug misuse prevention and on drug courts by almost £1-million.
Robert Brown, LibDem spokesperson said the £3.5-billion drug abuse cost was 'staggering' adding: 'We must cut demand by prevention through prosecution of drug pushers who prey on the vulnerable in society.'
Number of problem drug-users is as follows:
Number of Recreational drug-users:
1. Heroin 50,077 Cannabis 321,352
2. Benzodiazepines 42,892 Cocaine powder 100,111
3. Cannabis 40,294 Ecstasy 89,867
4. Methadone 18,019 Amphetamines 63,791
5. Crack cocaine 15,697 Benzodiazepines 49,113
6. Cocaine powder 14,813
7. Ecstasy 12,049
8. Amphetamines 6,136
The findings derive from two new reports Scottish ministers and health officials commissioned and which analyse data from 2006.
