Total Cost of FASD Including the Economics of FASD Associated with Crimes

Abstract

This chapter reports a systematic review of studies of the economics of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) with a focus on costs that are associated with crimes. It shows that the total cost of FASD for Canadian society is $9.4 billion per year (2015 price level), of which crimes account for the largest share (42% or $3.9 billion), followed by health care (21%), indirect costs (19%), social services (9%), and special education (9%). Of the costs of FASD associated with crimes ($3.9 billion), Criminal Justice System (CJS) accounts for the largest share (54% or $2.1 billion), followed by victims of crime (41%), and third-party (5%). Of the cost for CJS ($2.1 billion), police services accounts for the largest share (57%), followed by correctional services (23%) and court services (20%).