Drug abuse is a major global health problem, as well as a social and economic burden.  In addition to being a primary cause of lost workforce productivity, family conflict, and drug-related crime, drug abuse is linked to the spread of HIV/AIDS through contaminated needles. 

Drug abuse is one of the most costly health problems in the United States.  The economic cost in 2002 was estimated at $180.9 billion.  This number includes both the use of resources to address health and crime consequences of drug abuse and the loss of potential productivity from disability, death and withdrawal from the workforce.  

All data indicate that the economic burden of drug abuse is increasing, as evidenced by a 5.3% increase per year from 1992 through 2002.  The most rapid increases in drug abuse costs have been in criminal justice efforts, particularly increased rates of incarceration for drug offenses and increased spending on law enforcement and adjudication.  More modest increases occurred in costs associated with health consequences and treatment and prevention initiatives.

Substance abuse is a serious threat to human health and to society.  Employers, law enforcement officials, and others expend considerable effort to be sure their employees and constituents are free of substance abuse. 

Drug use continues to grow and defy containment efforts, creating a significant market for simple, reliable tests to detect the most common abused substances.  Urine-based screening tests for drugs of abuse range from simple immunoassay tests to complex analytical procedures. The speed and sensitivity of immunoassays have made them the most widely accepted method for screening urine for drugs of abuse.  Inverness Medical Innovations offers one of the broadest and most comprehensive lines of drugs of abuse tests available today.