Time For Drug Policy Reform

	the COMPLETE FACTS on Substance Use in America
	by Scott Goold October 14, 1999 Library of Substance Use Literature
	Our organization asked our nation's drug czar, General Barry McCaffrey, for more information on the War on Drugs. We do not advocate drug use. We just do not believe the current strategy is working. We would like to increase discussion on this important issue. The federal office mentions many harmful consequences of the illicit drugs, tobacco and alcohol, yet they do not officially recognize tobacco abuse in their research.

[Summary information from the 1999 Natonal Drug Control Strategy publication]

Facts o' the Day
In 1993 state corrections expenses exceeded nineteen billion dollars, an increase of 243 percent from 1982. Some states now spend more on prisons than on education. Across the nation, states spend 30 percent more on prison budgets and 18 percent less on higher education in 1995 than they did in 1987.

The high rate of incarceration is spread disproportionately among different ethnic groups. In 1996, the rates were:
3,098 per 100,000 for African American males
1,278 per 100,000 for Hispanic males
370 per 100,000 for White males

More than 1.8 million Americans were incarcerated as of January 1998. One in every 117 men in the U.S. was incarcerated in a state or federal prison at year end in 1997. More Americans were behind bars than on active duty in the armed forces.

Between 1990 and 1996, the number of female inmates serving time in state prisons for drug offenses doubled and drug offenders accounted for 25 percent of the total growth in the state inmate population.

More than 62.5 percent of the inmates in the Federal prison system in 1997 were sentenced for drug offenses, up from 53 percent in 1990.

The social costs of drug use is estimated at $110 billion. For alcohol, it is higher. It is reported to be $167 billion. The federal office does not report tobacco-related social costs.

Drug Use Trends: 1990-1997
Cocaine - stable with 1.5% of population defined as current users in 1997. Range throughout period, 1.4% - 2.0%.

Marijuana - slightly increasing with 11.1% of population defined as current users in 1997. Range throughout period: 9.6% - 11.1%.

Heroin - slightly increasing with less than 1% of population defind as hardcore users. 810,000 users in 1997. Range throughout period. 690,000 - 810,000.

Drug Use Trends for Youth: 1991-1998
Current users (past month) of any illicit drug. Generally rising, with slight decrease in 1998 from 1997.

12th graders: 25.6% in 1998. Range throughout period: 14.4% - 26.2% (1997)

10th graders: 21.5% in 1998. Range throughout period: 11.0% - 23.2% (1996)

8th graders: 12.1% in 1998. Range throughout period: 5.7% - 14.6% (1996)

Drug Arrests
Rising. 1,010,000 in 1990; 1,584,000 in 1997

Drug-related Murders
Decreasing. 1,367 in 1990; 786 in 1997

Drug-related Deaths (two sources)
National Center for Health Statistics:
Steadily increasing. Lowest in 1980 at 6,900; highest in 1996 (latest figures) at 14,843.

HHS Drug Abuse Warning Network:
Steadily increasing, slight leveling off in last reported year. Lowest in 1990 (of available data) at 5,638; highest in 1996 (last reported year) at 9,310.

Illicit Drug Use Profile
The most commonly used illicit drug is marijuana: 60 percent of users use marjuana only. Approximately 80 percent current drug users used marijuana or hashish in 1997.

Addiction Rates
Today there are an estimated 4 million chronic drug users in America. Of these, 3.6 million are chronic cocaine (primarily crack cocaine as opposed to powder cocaine) and 810,000 chronic heroin users.

Cocaine Seizures
Constant at approximately 105 metric tons per year.

National Drug Control Budget
Increasing at an average rate of approximately 10% per year. $17.9 billion in 1999.

National Drug Spending by Department (% of above)
Defense - 5.1%
Education - 3.7%
HHS - 16.0%
HUD - 1.7%
Justice - 43.1%
ONDCP - 2.5%
State - 2.7%
Transportation - 4.6%
Treasury - 9.3%
Veteran Affairs - 6.3%
All others - 4.9%

Summary
While there are some conflicting figures, the general trends show illicit drug use to be steady or increasing slightly. Drug deaths are increasing, but drug-related homocides have dropped significantly. Drug control costs are increasing at about 10% per year. Our jails and prisons house more inmates than ever before. Inmates are predominately from minority groups. These figures do not suggest we are winning the war. While the social costs of illicit drug use are significant, they are less than the social costs associated for both alcohol and tobacco use.

Most importantly, our current policies provide the Department of Education with only 3.7% of the annual expenditures in the war against drugs.

Have we made our point? Has New Mexico governor, Gary Johson, made his point? Neither of us advocate the use of drugs. Governor Johnson is an athlete who does not drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use illicit chemicals. Governor Johnson admits to youthful experimentation with marijuana and cocaine. He talks honestly about this. We now talk honestly about the War on Drugs. Johnson is a Republican. This important matter transcends party lines and affiliations. It is time for a complete revisitation of our state and national approaches to substance use -- including alcohol and tobacco.

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the COMPLETE FACTS on Substance Use in America