News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  


June 19, 1996
(Department of Health)


Health Minister Comments on Cost of Substance Abuse in Province

Health Minister Lloyd Matthews today commented on Newfoundland figures contained in a report on the economic costs of substance abuse released today by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

This province has one of the lowest rates of mortality due to substance abuse in the country. There are 128 deaths per 100,000 population as a direct result of substance abuse in Newfoundland and Labrador; 112 of which are directly attributable to smoking, 15 to alcohol and one death a result of illicit drug use.

Compared with other provincial jurisdictions, Newfoundland and Labrador fares better than most said the minister. Deaths due to tobacco use in the province are third lowest in all of Canada, yet tobacco use accounts for 56 per cent of all substance abuse in the province. Newfoundland and Labrador rated lowest in terms of deaths per alcohol and illicit drug use. Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia have the highest mortality rate due to substance abuse at 180 deaths per 100,000 population.

Translated into economic costs, substance abuse cost the province more than $304 million, or 3.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). "While the results of this province are more encouraging than others, substance abuse is still a significant health, social and economic problem," said Mr. Matthews. The majority of these costs are avoidable he added. "Continued education and prevention programs in the community, particularly geared toward youth, are essential in reducing the substance abuse problem."

Economic estimates of substance abuse for Canada are $18.45 billion or 2.7 per cent of the GDP. Economic costs such as direct health care costs, treatment programs, prevention and research programs, loss of productivity as well as law enforcement costs directly related to combatting substance abuse were included in the study.

Contact: Jill Sooley, (709) 729-1377.

1996 06 18 4:00 p.m.

SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement