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Social Justice | Drug War Economics

Demand Reduction versus Supply Reduction Spending


America's Failed Drug War Economics

 

Drug War Front Lines Heroin Overdose Broken Lives Prisoner
 

 

Estimated Federal Drug Control Spending By Fiscal Year, 2003-2017
 

Budget Authority in Millions of US Dollars.

All Figures Final Unless Otherwise Noted.

Source: ONDCP:    February 2016

Year Treatment Prevention Total Demand Reduction Pct / Total Budget    Domestic    Enforcement Interdiction International Total Supply Reduction Pct / Total Budget 

Total Budget   Column 3 +7

2003 $5,229.90 $2,006.80 $7,236.70 42.44% $6,678.70 $1,694.70 $1,443.30 $9,816.70 57.56% $17,053.40
2004 5,906.40 $2,040.20 $7,946.50 42.82% $7,049.50 $2,010.90 $1,549.00 $10,609.50 57.18% $18,556.00
2005 $6,151.70 $2,040.00 $8,191.70 41.20% $7,383.10 $2,433.60 $1,873.70 $11,690.40 58.80% $19,882.10
2006 $6,229.40 $1,964.50 $8,193.90 39.75% $7,602.20 $2,924.10 $1,895.80 $12,422.20 60.25% $20,616.10
2007 $6,493.90 $1,934.20 $8,428.10 38.87% $8,018.20 $3,045.90 $2,191.40 $13,255.50 61.13% $21,683.60
2008 $6,725.10 $1,841.00 $8,566.10 39.23% $8,300.90 $2,968.70 $1,998.50 $13,268.10 60.77% $21,834.20
2009 $7,208.70 $1,954.00 $9,162.70 36.85% $9,470.00 $3,699.20 $2,532.60 $15,701.90 63.15% $24,864.60
2010 $7,544.50 $1,566.40 $9,110.90 37.00% $9,252.50 $3,662.40 $2,595.00 $15,509.90 63.00% $24,620.80
2011 $7,659.70 $1,478.10 $9,137.70 37.50% $9,223.00 $3,977.10 $2,027.60 $15,227.70 62.50% $24,365.40
2012 $7,848.30 $1,339.20 $9,187.40 37.49% $9,446.50 $4,036.50 $1,833.70 $15,316.70 62.51% $24,504.10
2013 $7,888.60 $1,274.90 $9,157.00 38.47% $8,850.00 $3,940.60 $1,846.30 $14,643.40 61.53% $23,800.40
2014 $9,481.80 $1,316.90 $10,798.70 41.96% $9,348.80 $3,948.50 $1,637.10 $14,934.40 58.04% $25,733.10
2015 $12,543.10 $1,341.50 $13,884.60 48.07% $9,394.50 $3,960.90 $1,643.00 $14,998.30 51.93% $28,882.90
2016 Enacted $13,248.60 $1,496.20 $14,744.80 48.25% $9,699.10 $4,479.90 $1,637.00 $15,816.10 51.75% $30,560.90
2017 Request $14,281.60 $1,544.70 $15,826.30 50.94% $9,525.50 $4,138.50 $1,581.10 $15,245.10 49.06% $31,071.40

 drug control budget graph - 2003-2016

 Green: Supply Reduction | Blue = Demand Reduction | Polynomial Trendline with 2 year look ahead (cautiously optimistic)

 

The Graph below was compiled by Matt Groff. Although the original graph was challenged for the statistical methodology, the message is very clear. It was not clear as to which indicators and data sources were used during the illustrated time interval to measure incidence and prevalence as the government has changed its data collection methodology, data sources and indicators over the past thirty years. It is interesting to note that there exists no historical data repository utiilizing uniform practices and processes for a trillion dollar plus investment. A cynic might conclude that this is a deliberate attempt to obscure the data and preclude the possibility of producing an empirical assessment.  Also, the evolution of addiction treatment has witnessed several iterations of the definition of addiction over the past several decades. However, the message is clear and the conclusion on point that there exists no basis for argument that increased spending on drug control policy impacts the incidence nor prevalence of substance use, substance abuse or addiction. The logical question then would be to ask why does the government persist in pursuing a policy that has consistently failed and left in its wake millions of lives ruined and over a trillion dollars of wasted taxpayer dollars. Who benefits?

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 Click image for animation.