Which of the following was noted as a significant cost factor for drug abuse in the U.S.?

Healthcare costs are a significant factor associated with drug abuse in the U.S. This includes expenses related to emergency room visits, long-term medical treatments, rehabilitation programs, and the overall burden on the healthcare system due to drug-related health issues. The impact of drug abuse transcends just individual health, leading to increased insurance premiums and escalating public health expenditures that strain both private and public resources.

Although corporate fraud, unemployment benefits, and international trade losses can be influenced by drug abuse, they do not directly relate to the immediate and extensive financial liabilities that healthcare incurs as a result of drug abuse. Healthcare costs encapsulate the broad spectrum of resources used in addressing the health crises stemming from drug misuse, thus establishing it as a key cost factor in understanding the overall economic impact of drug abuse in society.