MAPPSD Website
Meth's Cost to Communities
Meth Costs to Strangers
The connection between ID theft and Meth users is growing. Is your financial future at
stake?
Meth costs to businesses
$ Inventory loss and industrial theft
$ Increased insurance, security and increased
workers compensation costs and claims.
$ Lower productivity of
employees
$ Drug abuse related illnesses
$ Premature death of worker
(addict)
$ Productivity loss of victims of addict's
crimes
$ Shoplifting - especially of the key ingredients of
Meth
$ University of Arkansas study shows each Meth user
costs an employer an average of $47,500 every year. FULL
REPORT
Meth costs to families
Meth poses tremendous risks for
those living with a user. More and more often, Meth is a contributing factor in cases of domestic violence, child neglect and child abuse. For more information on how Meth use and
manufacturing impacts children's lives and welfare, visit our special section on Drug Endangered Children.
Meth costs to healthcare systems
$ Hospital and ambulatory care
$ Drug exposed infants
$ Dental care
$ HIV/AIDS
$ Hepatitis B and C
$ Crime victims' health care
$ Health care for addicts'
children
$ The National Association of Counties analysis of Meth’s impact on hospitals and emergency
rooms
Meth costs to taxpayers
Between state and federal funding, the average cost of having a child in foster care
is $21,092.
Other costs to taxpayers:
$ Police, Fire and EMT Departments' time and
training costs
(Cost to attend a two-week long training is $6,000 per person)
$ Cost of specialized equipment
$ Hazmat suits - $100 each, discarded after one
use
$ Disposable gloves - $100 per
case
$ Toxic Fume detectors - $10,000
each
$ Lawyer fees - public defender starts at $94 an
hour plus expenses
$ Jail/prison time and costs ($30,000+ per year
average with minimal medical expenses. Generally, inmates who have been regular Meth users cost more due to higher dental care costs and other health issues.)
Meth costs to the environment
$ Lab
clean up: High volume sites average $5,000 to clean up a large lab, but costs can run as high as $20,000 to complete property demolition.
$ One pot labs are generally not found, or cleaned.
Toxic wastes dumped down drains, in storm sewers, in dumpsters, on the ground or along roadsides.
$ Removal of topsoil in dumpsite clean up, at
landowners expense.
Meth costs to communities
$ Increased crime, including stealing to obtain money for Meth, property damage and loss due to fires, motor vehicle accidents and assaults.
$ Meth Arrests up 1100%
$ Land lords/home owners responsibility to clean
after a lab bust, including shampooing or replacing carpets, painting or replacing drywall, cleaning or replacing appliances. For more information on these legally mandated responsibilities, visit
our special section, Information for Realtors.
$ Increased pressure on schools (providing special
education for Meth babies or for children living in a Meth home/lab).
$ Increased pressure on Social Services system,
including in-home or therapeutic foster care placement for children taken from Meth homes/labs.
$ The National Association of Counties analysis of Meth’s impact on law enforcement and social services
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