We all hear that drug abuse is a victimless crime, and it's easy for people to say that druggies are nonviolent (hence, harmless?

Look here.

While the statistics are old (2007), I think that this $193 billion price tag ought to open a few eyes. Of these costs, roughly $63 billion is in costs to the criminal justice system (including law enforcement). A quick calculation shows that the cost to each individual in the United States is about $640 a year (assuming a population of 300 million). (Note: Individualized costs for criminal justice alone? About $210 per person, per year) That is assuming that the costs are spread equally across the United States. We all know, of course, that the burden is not equally spread, and the costs to Texans and others in border states are much higher. Tell a taxpayer that his family of four is being charged over $2500/year in total costs, or $840/yr in crime costs alone, and they can begin to see that drugs cost.

Separate the associated healthcare and productivity costs from the criminal costs. Drug abuse still costs each person about $433/yr. Someone has to pay for all the healthcare, productivity losses, and funerals for drug addicts. Don’t count on the addict to pay for it. So – a “victimless” pastime? Hardly.

Sure wish the NDIC hadn’t shut down, and that we had current figures. The paper is great, though, and it is very educational, if a bit “wonky”.