Analytic Issues for Estimating the Benefits and Costs of Substance Abuse Prevention

In addition, economic analysis helps policymakers determine which of several alternative intervention programs provides the most benefits per dollar spent. For example, policymakers may assess the costeffectiveness of prevention versus treatment programs or broad-based versus targeted prevention programs. Focusing on this latter policy issue, suppose that policymakers wish to reduce the number of drugexposed infants. Prevention efforts could be directed at all women of childbearing age, the broadest possible population. Although such a program will likely increase the awareness of the problem among all women of childbearing age, individuals who are most at risk for maternal substance abuse may not be reached, or if they become aware of the issue, the program may not be intensive enough to change their behavior significantly. Thus, the program may not be as costeffective as other prevention programs that focus on more narrow targets. These more narrow targets include substance-abusing women or those at high risk for substance abuse, women of childbearing age who abuse substances or are at high risk for substance abuse, and pregnant women who abuse substances or are at high risk for substance abuse.