July 15, 2009

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

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration conducted a cost benefit analysis of substance abuse prevention. The researchers found that if effective school-based programs were used nationwide, 1.5 million youth aged 13-15 would never start, or would at least delay, using alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, or other substances for two years on average. The return on investment is projected to come in the form of reduced lifetime social and medical costs related to substance abuse; increased lifetime productivity; and preserved lifetime quality of life.