The social costs of alcohol abuse in New Zealand

Abstract

Aims. This study updates and extends previous New Zealand research on the social costs of alcohol abuse. Design. This economic cost study used the human capital approach. Setting. New Zealand, 1991. Participants. The total New Zealand population. Measurements. The estimated costs of alcohol abuse for 1 year included direct and indirect costs. Costs such as lost production resulting from premature death and sickness, reduced working efficiency and excess unemployment comprised indirect costs. Direct costs included hospital costs, accident compensation payments, police and justice system costs. A range of social cost estimates was constructed based on various prevalence rates of alcohol abuse,..