January 12, 2009

Substance Abuse Prevention Dollars and Cents: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

This brief was written by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Policymakers and other stakeholders can use cost-benefit analysis as an informative tool for decision making for substance abuse prevention. This report reveals the importance of supporting effective prevention programs as part of a comprehensive substance abuse prevention strategy. The following patterns of use, their attendant costs, and the potential cost savings are analyzed as the extent of substance abuse among youth, the costs of substance abuse to the Nation and to States, the cost savings that could be gained if effective prevention policies, programs, and services were implemented nationwide, and the programs and policies that are most cost beneficial.