America consumes approximately 50% of the global cocaine market, which can result in homelessness and lower productivity. Positive cocaine tests from US workplaces dropped 19% from 2006 to 2007, and were 21% lower in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, showing significant shortages of cocaine on US streets over the past 20 months. Lower cocaine availability gives addicts motivation to seek employment instead of drugs, lowering unemployment and increasing productivity.

1. Cocaine

2. America is the #1 consumer of Cocaine, comprising approximately 50% of the total global market.

3. Cocaine can often result in homelessness and decline in a population’s productivity

5. "Today we are now over 20 months into significant and sustained shortages of cocaine on the streets of the United States, Last year alone, workplace drug testing [that returned positive] for cocaine dropped 19 percent. This is closing the vise.” - John Walters, CNN

6. The percentage of workers or work seekers who tested positive for recent cocaine use in occupational drug tests was 21 percent lower during the second quarter of 2007 than during the same period in 2006. Chart 1. Rates of National Positive Cocaine Results in Workplace Drug Tests, 2005-2007

7. Table 2. Southwest Border Area Seizures for Cocaine, Annually.

9. This loss of a terrible vice gives our friend the motivation to go out seeking a job. lowering unemployment rates and becoming a more productive citizen. With diligence on the part of America’s Coast Guard, our friend loses his supply of cocaine.

10. With special thanks to CNN for factual information contained within, and Google Images for the Photo’s that made this presentation possible.