Hardcore drugs P, cocaine and Ecstasy gave New Zealand a bill of about $546 million for social costs in one financial year. They are a big part of the total $1.3 billion that drug use cost the country in 2005 and 2006. The figures come from a new index designed by economists to help police decide where drugs do the most harm and enable them to use resources more efficiently. The Drug Harm Index, released yesterday, will help police determine the socio-economic costs from drug seizures and track the value of the drug trade in New Zealand. [continues 597 words]
