In the United States, experts estimate that stimulant abuse costs citizens about $43,000 a year for each addict who steals, receives welfare after losing a job, forfeits his or her children to custody of the state, or goes to jail. On the other hand, it costs about $16,000 to provide the best treatment available for that same addict. For most, treatment is the only way back to responsible living.

The Nicotine Trap

The number of people addicted to nicotine, one out of three Americans, is much greater than the total of both cocaine and amphetamine addicts. Surveys conducted by the American Lung Association found that 70 percent of nicotine users say they would like to quit. However, nicotine is a tough drug to walk away from.

One regretful smoker put it this way: "In a London subway, I once saw a sign that...