The burden of illness that is imposed by drug abuse and the allocation of research monies in the field: three views

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Abstract
The views of politicians, experts in the field of drug abuse and randomly-selected members of the community were sought concerning the burden of illness that is imposed by the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, narcotic agents, prescribed drugs, cocaine, volatile substances, over-the-counter drugs and cannabis. Politicians and community members perceived illicit drugs to have the greatest associated burden. Experts ranked in descending order alcohol, tobacco, narcotic agents, prescribed drugs, cocaine, volatile substances, over-the-counter drugs and then cannabis to have the greatest burden of illness. Priorities that were perceived by each group for research funding corresponded with their judgements of the burden of illness. Experts'' views on the burden of illness most closely matched the data that are available on drug-associated mortality. It is suggested that unless a close correspondence among the views of the three groups is present, conflict in regards to allocation of resources is likely.