KCI The Anti_Meth Site

Meth Math: Cost per Addict

Dave 80909	Meth Math / Cost per Addict I saw on the KCI main site this little graphic that read "The cost of Meth"...it made me think; what is the cost of meth in real financial cost to society ? or basicaly just in those terms of tangible cost; Should we be freaking out ??.. or is the meth "crisis" overblown ??? I was wondering if such figures exist in some form, comparatively with other addictions such as alcohol, opiates,prescription drugs, etc.ect...?? Get out your abbicus if you want, lets look at it perhaps ?? DIRECT COSTS OF METH ADDICTION The first variable A ought to be fairly static. What would the average addict spend per year on the drug ?? The second B would be static also. What would be the average course, or time span of the average run of addiction last in years ?? So we got A x B = C The third D would be a somewhat dynamic figure based on the location or area; What is the estimated number of addicts in the county, state. or other ??? so...C x D = E or the total cash amount spent directly for the purchase of the product. now add in... - Lost sales tax on the money flowing out of the area to say Mexico.. - Money not being spent on food, clothing and other goods in the area, but being spent on the product. - Gas or fuel being used in transporting or procuring the product. - Time lost in usage, procuring product. - Income lost from problems caused by its use, or job termination, thus health benefits, etc. - Cost of health problems caused by use. STD's...Dentists..etc. - Cost of rehab, and/or incarceration. - Cost of Social Services and foster care for problems directly relating to usage. - Cost to the addict and community in court costs and legal fees, etc. - Cost of crime associated with it, and the cost of police work and security to deal with it. - Cost of environmental damage from the production of the product. - Cost for others like relatives, or employers who are affected by the addict. So we have E then add in the theoretical value of all that below it and find a good basic educated guess.. This does not even include the more less tangible costs like that of pain, suffering, and just the incredible pain in the ass it is for anyone even remotely connected with it.
Dave 80909	Re: Meth Math / Cost per Addict Ok.. I got my formula lined out..I'm gonna take a stab at it..i will try to use what I feel are "conservative" estimates. DIRECT COSTS OF METH ADDICTION The first variable A ought to be fairly static. What would the average addict spend per year on the drug ?? I'm guessing like about a $150 a week habbit or an 8-ball for a marked "problem addiction" or about $7800.00 The second B would be static also. What would be the average course, or time span of the average run of addiction last in years ?? I'll say 3 years (sounds about right) So we got A x B = C so C = $23,400.00 The third D would be a somewhat dynamic figure based on the location or area; What is the estimated number of addicts in the county, state. or other ??? Not applicable for individual cost so...C x D = E or the total cash amount spent directly for the purchase of the product. now add in... - Lost sales tax on the money flowing out of the area to say Mexico.. at 7% sales tax this is $1638.00 - Money not being spent on food, clothing and other goods in the area, but being spent on the product. Their profit at 15%...on stuff you did not buy would be $3510.00 - Gas or fuel being used in transporting or procuring the product. Say 2 trips @ $5.00 each x 52 weeks x 3 = $1560.00 - Time lost in usage, procuring product. 4 hours p/week x 52 x 3 = 624 hrs. or time at a min. wage job of $3432.00 - Income lost from problems caused by its use, or job termination, thus health benefits, etc. lets say 3 months of rehab, or finding new job $1200.00 - Cost of health problems caused by use. STD's...Dentists.. etc. I'll guess $1000.00 - Cost of rehab, and/or incarceration. I'll guess about $6000.00 - Cost of Social Services and foster care for problems directly relating to usage. This could be enormous.. I'll tack on $5000.00 - Cost to the addict and community in court costs and legal fees, etc. I will guess about $5000.00 - Cost of crime associated with it, and the cost of police work and security to deal with it. I'll guess about $3000.00 - Cost of environmental damage from the production of the product. guess - $500.00 - Cost for others like relatives, or employers who are affected by the addict. guess - $2000.00 My guess- Total Cost = $57,240 per addict It is probably in reality much higher. You owe society $57,240 in community service for being addicted to meth, get busy
scottlock	Re: Meth Math / Cost per Addict I was getting it free or cheap alot.... but I still got $20,000 in debt... Pre-Meth I always planned to travel... now simply to to the credit card debit of the habit I'm not aloud to leave the country for 3 years... Not to happy about it to say the least but who can I blame? nobody or myself... I could try but it'd be a wase of time..
XOutlaw Woman	Re: Meth Math / Cost per Addict Dang Dave!! You made my brain hurt! You are a mathematical genius in my book!! LOL!! I always sucked at math, but you sure don't. Very interesting theory. Scottlock, three years will pass before you know it!! Don't trash your plans for travel!!
Dave 80909	Re: Meth Math / Cost per Addict Scot said- >Pre-Meth I always planned to travel... now simply to to >the credit card debit of the habit I'm not aloud to leave >the country for 3 years... Thats interesting..are those conditions of probation or is there some law in your neck of the woods restricting travel when in debt ??
chris gonz	Re: Meth Math / Cost per Addict that's a lot of moola!!! i wonder what "fiend" estimates would be???
Dave 80909	Re: Meth Math / Cost per Addict >> i wonder what "fiend" estimates would be??? Good question. Perhaps I could querry the members here. Straw poll : What did you spend on your meth addiction ?? I would guess for myself I only spent about $5000 to $10,000 on the actual product during my little run with it.
XOutlaw Woman	Re: Meth Math / Cost per Addict $7800.00 per year for three years, give or take a few dollars. Roughly $150.00 per week. What a waste!! I could have bought a nice boat, a Harley for my boyfriend, or a new truck! DAMN IT!