The impact of drug abuse and addiction on society.

Over 28 million Americans have admitted to abusing a substance in the last year alone, at a direct purchase price of over 79 billion dollars. Substance abuse and addiction have grave consequences on our existing social systems, effecting crime rates, hospitalizations, child abuse, and child neglect, and are rapidly consuming limited public funds. The intravenous drug abuser represents the fastest growing vector of HIV virus. This report focuses on the social and economic implications of substance abuse and addiction and discusses the merits and limitations of several popular solutions to the problem.