This paper attempts to address whether the planned benefits of legalizing Marijuana outweigh the potential negative consequences. Factors that will be examined and are questions faced by staff of outpatient and inpatient Alcohol Rehab Center Florida and elsewhere, include the number of dependent users and how legalization will impact this number, treatment costs and there relation to the youth of our nation and suggestions and recommendations. A review of merely these factors demonstrates that the increase in revenue and cost-savings associated with decreased criminal activity outweighs health harms associated with marijuana usage.

If the analysis were to stop at that point, there would not be much to write about as the evidence is fairly straight forward; however, unknown and intangible costs such as the effect of legalization of marijuana on the youth of our country and the unknown but predicted increase in dependence may tip the scales in the other direction. Finally, this writer will draw broad conclusions and recommendations based upon the current literature and findings. 

The document is organized into three parts

1. How the legalization of marijuana and the resulting drop in price will effect use of marijuana and potential increase in dependent users in need of outpatient and inpatient drug treatment and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
2. How the legalization of marijuana and the resulting rise in consumption will impact national inpatient and outpatient drug treatment statistics based on reported government statistics.
3. Broad recommendations and suggestions.
   

Increase in Drug Dependence

Marijuana is an addictive drug and people do experience dependence and withdrawal symptoms (Hall, 2003). Also, from 2002-2008, the average number of people in the United States that met DSM-IV criteria for abuse or dependence was 4.2 million people (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, two thousand nine 2009). Finally, over 10% of lifetime users of marijuana have enough symptoms to qualify for the label of experiencing abuse or dependence (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009).

Although it is impossible to predict with certainty how much marijuana will cost if it is legalized, most of the literature estimates that the price will decrease anywhere from 30%-75% (Caulkins, 2010).  Based on this fact, estimates for California indicate that the number of people who will be dependent on marijuana will increase by over 300,000 (Caulkins, 2010). Although these numbers are speculative and based upon theoretical, economic models, there is no doubt that legalization of marijuana will have an impact in reducing the price of the drug and an increase in those using the drug? Also, the fact that the price of marijuana will decrease, will allow individuals who previously could not afford to use the drug to have access.

As a direct result of more people having access to marijuana, an increase in dependence and the fact that marijuana has been scientifically shown to have negative effects on cognitive functioning, society will have to shoulder this burden. The negative effects (including memory loss, learning impairment and decreased motor coordination) last in excess of 30 days after the period of acute intoxication (Bolla, 2002). This means that people using marijuana will have a tendency to wrongly believe they are capable of performing tasks, such as driving a car, operating heavy equipments/machinery, caring for children or resolving work-related issues, when in fact they may be performing at an impaired range of functioning (Bolla, 2002).

Overall, legalization of marijuana will increase the number of people who are dependent on the substance and lead to an increase in usage. Additionally, beyond the tangible and statistical data that indicates the benefit outweighs the negative, several negative intangible and yet unmeasured factors seem to negate the benefit proposed by many people in favor of legalization.

Drug Treatment Effect

In 2009, the average cost of residential drug treatment in the United States was in excess of $5,000.00 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009). Additionally, it is estimated that over 75% of individuals treated for marijuana as a primary dependency were under the age of 21 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009). Also, in 2009, 61.5% of all individuals admitted for treatment were for individuals that were under the age of 21 and the taxpayers paid for 80% of these admissions.

From the statistics above and the previous section, it is this writers opinion that not only are the statistics staggering, the intangible costs on society and especially the youth outweighs any speculative benefit gleaned from legalizing marijuana. George John, CFO of Sober Living Outpatient, an outpatient drug treatment and drug rehab in Florida, states “Our society should be appalled at the billions of dollars being spent on lobbying for legalized marijuana (and other illicit drugs) when by legalizing marijuana, we are increasing the number of youth that will ultimately be affected and need treatment.” Additionally, this writer proposes that we take a fraction of the money spent on the lobby and invest those funds in treating and educating the youth of our country about the dangers and cognitive effects of abusing marijuana and other substances.

Moreover, the wasteful money spent on lobbying should be spent on inpatient and outpatient drug treatment Florida and rehab for those suffering from dependence. Below is a snapshot of the number of people treated, in the United States, for drug and alcohol abuse in 2007. One should pay close attention to the highlighted section “Marijuana/hashish” and the respective age at first use. Additionally, this category equates to over 15% of all treatment episodes and alarmingly is higher than admissions for “smoked cocaine” and “heroin”. Thus, the myth that marijuana is harmless is absolutely refuted by the statistics.

Broad recommendations and suggestions

As opposed to broad and sweeping legislation that allows for legalization of marijuana, this writer recommends the following:

1. Early education, continuing into college that addresses the scientifically accurate information regarding the dangers and effects of marijuana and the disease (as indicated by the DSM IV) of marijuana abuse and dependence
2. As opposed to legalization, the government should alter the criminality of marijuana abuse and dependence offenses (where others in society are not harmed, i.e., DUI) and offer treatment as opposed to incarceration
3. Controlled and evidenced-based research as to the positive, medical research and uses of marijuana and its derivatives should continue; however, legalization of marijuana in smoked form is no different, from a health perspective, as smoking cigarettes.

Please read more about ‘Drug and Alcohol Treatment’ and some other drug and alcohol treatment methods at: http://www.soberlivingoutpatient.com/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-florida

Both President Obama and Mitt Romney don’t agree about much; however, both of them agree that reducing the Federal deficit is a priority. One piece of this puzzle may be to address the cost of substance abuse in the United States. Annually, the cost of Substance abuse is estimated at $467 billion dollars or roughly 10% of the Federal budget in 2005.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia TM), recently reported that although evidence-based treatments for drug addiction and alcoholism exist, most patients do not receive these treatments. For example, the report indicates that less than 10% of people with drug dependence or alcoholism receive any form of treatment for the disease. As recognized by Drug Treatment Centers Florida and in light of the fact that over 70% of individuals receive treatment for diseases such as high blood pressure, major depression and diabetes, drug dependence and alcoholism is the “dirty-little secret” that society sweeps under the rug; however, the mere financial costs are extraordinary. The CASA study estimates that the consequences of drug dependence and alcoholism cost every person in the United States $1500.00 per year.

In the United States, the greatest expenditure of spending by the government as it relates to risky substance abuse and the disease of addiction are in the area of crime and health care.  CASA found that over 30% of inpatient hospitalization expenditures are a result of risky drug use and the disease of addiction. Moreover, Drug treatment centers Florida, drug treatment Florida and Outpatient drug rehab agrees and the report indicates, that in the United States, over 80% of all prison inmates are there as a result of substance-involved offenses and over 60% of these individuals meet the DSM IV criteria for addiction and dependence. Moreover, this equates to roughly $25,000 per year to incarcerate individuals with a treatable disease and as a direct result of a treatable disease.

Regardless of whether you support President Obama or Mitt Romney, I believe it is hard for either of them to not agree that we are missing an opportunity to reduce expenditures by effectively treating drug dependence and alcoholism. Rather than ignoring the problem and dealing with the financial consequences thereafter, why aren’t we proactive (as we are with other diseases) and deal with effective treatments before it costs over 400 billion a year?

Obama-Care Benefits Substance Abuse Recovery: Discrimination of Drug Addicts and Alcoholics Delivered a Huge Blow

Drug Treatment Florida and Drug and alcohol rehab Florida reported that in June of 2012, the Supreme Court voted to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA); thus, in terms of addiction, alcoholism and drug dependence, insurers are no longer permitted to hold people hostage who suffer from this disease.  Individuals suffering from drug dependence and alcoholism now have a choice of where they receive treatment, whereas before, no choice existed.  By way of example, I received a call from a woman who wanted treatment immediately and was unable to obtain insurance. My recommendation was that she seeks out state funded treatment. Good luck! Have you ever tried to do this?

More than 13 million American non-elderly adults have been denied insurance specifically because of their medical conditions, according to the Commonwealth Fund and reported by outpatient drug rehab and Outpatient drug treatment Florida. The Kaiser Family Foundation says 21% of people who apply for health insurance on their own get turned down, are charged a higher price, or offered a plan that excludes coverage for their pre-existing condition.

In short, those with substance abuse and mental health issues, previously prevented from obtaining adequate care, can expect the following:

1. Insurers must cover those with pre-existing conditions;
2. Children under age 19 can no longer have limited benefits or be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition;
3.   In 2014, it will be illegal for insurance companies to utilize pre-existing conditions to exclude, limit or set outrageous rates on insurance coverage;
4. The Affordable Care Act requires that all health care plans have a basic benefits package that cover mental health and substance abuse disorders;
5.  All plans in the health insurance exchange must adhere to the provisions of the Wellstone/Domenici Parity Act that requires mental health and substance abuse benefits be provided in the same way as all other medical and surgical benefits;

Prior to receiving treatment for my alcoholism and drug dependence, I had full health insurance benefits.  After, I was unable to attain coverage in the state of Florida, even if my pre-existing condition was excluded.  I was flat out denied coverage by every insurance company, including the high-risk pool in Florida, because the high-risk pool had been closed for 5 years.  To obtain coverage, I was forced to move my residency to Missouri (where I owned a home) and then, I was only permitted to obtain coverage from the high-risk pool at a cost of $750.00 per month.  Also, note, this policy had a lifetime cap of $1,000,000.00. 

What would a person who didn’t have the means to pay $750.00 per month do?  The answer, they would be prevented from having health insurance and thus, face total financial ruin in the event of a medical catastrophe.  Outpatient rehab Florida, drug & alcohol treatment strongly disagrees with any attempt to repeal Obama Care.