Overview

Abstract (English)

In 2014, the cost of substance use (SU) in Canada was $38.4 billion – or approximately $1,100 spent for every Canadian regardless of age. This report presents the estimates of the costs of SU in Canada from 2007 to 2014 using the most reliable, up-to-date data sources and methods according to the following categories: * Cost type (healthcare costs, lost productivity costs, criminal justice costs and other direct costs); * Substance; and * Province and territory. The ability to track costs and trends in harms uniquely caused by specific types of substance will be a valuable asset to federal, provincial and territorial efforts aimed at reducing these harms. A better understanding of the societal costs associated with different substances can help inform policy decision making and resource allocation for law enforcement, and prevention, treatment and harm reduction services.

Abstract (French)

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