Substance Abuse and Drug Addiction in Developed Countries

Substance abuse and drug addiction in developed nations is a problem of epidemic proportions despite intense worldwide eradication and control measures. Illicit drugs that are in most cases manufactured in poorer, undeveloped neighboring countries make their way to powerful nations like the US and England with ease. In fact, acquiring illicit drugs in these countries is nearly as easy as finding a treatment center to help addicted individuals. This indicates that addiction isn't a problem that is restricted to the economically disadvantaged; it is a human condition that knows no bounds, and the drug problems of four of the most highly developed nations in the world are an excellent example of this. AUSTRALIA: This country has invested a great deal of resources in addiction education and prevention programs and as a result substance abuse rates across the country are declining, albeit slowly. According to the National Drug Strategy of the Australian Government, the economic impact of illicit drug use was nearly $2 billion 7 years ago, with more than 30% of the country having recently used drugs like marijuana and nearly 11% with recent methamphetamine use. Australia's efforts against cocaine have flat lined, with very little change in the number of users over the last ten years. ENGLAND: According to the BBC News, the United Kingdom spent nearly 4 times as much on illicit drug substitutes like suboxone and methadone than Australia spent fighting all drugs overall. England has vast public service programs that invest a great deal in drug addicted individuals. Considered by many to have the most prolific drug problem on the entire continent, the country's drug replacement programs have created more than 150,000 addicts to addiction treatment medications. CANADA: Dr. Dian Riley has stated in her publication, Drugs and Drug Policy in Canada: A Brief Review & Commentary that 7 out of every 10 arrests in the country are related to marijuana use. Canada spent more than $18 billion fighting the illicit drug trade and drug addiction, which accounts for nearly 3% of its total gross domestic product. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: This country dwarfs the drug problems of all other countries, spending more than $160 billion per year to fight a losing drug trade battle. This expenditure is larger than the public health and economic burden of diabetes, and nearly equivalent to the burden of cancer in the country. Half of all arrests for serious crimes in the country can be attributed to drug-related charges, and American prisons are overflowing with people who have been convicted of drug crimes, including simple possession charges. Some estimates place the annual drug-related death count in this country in excess of half a million, while others state that it is much higher. Other countries like Spain, Germany, New Zealand, France and Japan also have serious drug problems that are similar to the four countries detailed above, but on a lesser scale. Fortunately, these developed nations have also recognized that the most successful way to battle this problem is to provide treatment for those who need it. Therefore, successful drug addiction treatment centers can be found almost as easily as a person's drug of choice.

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