In a Self Report Study of Adults in Colorado…

• 1 in 12 report current abuse or dependence problems, which could mean up to 200.000 people in the general population.

Current Abuse/Dependence Totals:

• Northwest - 11%
• Northeast – 8.8%
• Colorado Springs area - 8.5%
• Southwest – 8%
• Denver Metro – 7.5%
• Southeast – 7.1 %

Recent Data Indicates:

• Colorado ranks 1st among the 50 states in marijuana use
• Alcohol related hospital discharges increased by 52% from 1990- 1097
• Colorado ranks 2nd in severity on the Alcohol Problem Index (API)
• Colorado ranks 15th in severity on the Drug Problem Index (DPI)
• In 1995, rural areas had higher drug & alcohol dependence rates than the Denver areas

The 1992 US Department of Health and Human Services reported these estimates on the cost to society from alcohol and drug abuse:

• $246 billion for health care costs, lost earnings and criminal justice/law enforcement, including
• $148 billion from alcohol abuse/alcoholism
• $98 billion for drug abuse dependence