I said the federal government was spending $12 billion per year on the WOD. This money is distributed to the various federal agencies (DEA, HHS, DOJ, etc.) through the ONDCP.
That $12 billion does not include court costs and incarceration costs. That number was a part of the ONDCP budget, but has since been broken out. Since drug incarceration costs are a cumulative number, it distorts the actual amount spent each year by the ONDCP.
"Since 1973 we have increased our prison population from under 200,000 to over 2,000,000."
Well, I agree that's not right. We need to build more prisons and get that number up to at least 3 million. What with this flood of heroin and cocaine you're talking about, we need to arrest 'em and lock 'em up! Right?
"Since 1973 heroin has gotten stronger and cheaper.
And heroin use has remained flat at around .09% of the population.
"Since 1973 cocaine has gotten stronger and cheaper."
And cocaine use initially dropped 65% and has remained flat for the last 15 years at around .7% of the population.
"The Household survey does not show us how many people are using drugs in America. The survey shows us how many people in selected areas are willing to admit to drug use for $30....and that's all it shows."
They also get the $30 if they admit to no drug use, don't they? Well, then, what's the problem?