Florida is losing the war on drugs due to financial attrition. The economic impact of substance abuse in the Sunshine State is estimated to be approximately 6% of the state's gross domestic product (Miami 20). Contributing to the problem is the shortsightedness of a justice system that chooses to impose harsh criminal sanctions, including prison time, on nonviolent offenders with minor possession charges. Increasing budget constraints, leading to fewer available resources, contrast starkly with the rapid increase in substance abuse. In 2009, statewide drug convictions increased by 5.9 percent, while state and federal funding for alternative sentencing programs decreased by 5.8 percent (Families 3; National Center). Florida currently has more than 20,000 inmates with another 60,000 in prison on various drug charges; the majority are serving sentences for small-scale possession or simple purchase crimes (Families 2). The fiscally responsible response to nonviolent offenders charged with minor possession is not the traditional justice system approach, but rather the use of alternative sentencing programs such as drug courts. avoid federal sanctions (TASC 4). Within 18 months, thousands of offenders were charged with simple purchase or possession of controlled substances, and federal and state courts were quickly overwhelmed. The growing number of prisoners for drug-related crimes tripled in the following decade, causing prison overcrowding (national TASC 6). With federal and state budgets dangerously tight, the Florida Legislature quickly passed state statutes allowing judges to argue... in the middle of paper... and on the web. April 03, 2012. Florida. Executive Office of the Governor. List of DCF-funded adolescent substance abuse treatment programs. Tallahassee: Executive Office of the Governor, 2009. Print.Florida. Supreme Court Task Force on Drug Tribunals. Florida Drug Courts Report. Tallahassee: Office of the Administrator of State Courts, 2009. Print.Miami Behavioral Health Center. The annual economic impact of alcohol and drug use in Florida. Miami: Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, 2009. Print. National Center for State Courts. “Budget Resource Center.” www.ncsconline.org. National Center for State Courts, nd Web. April 03, 2012TASC National. Considering public safety: TASC capabilities. Alexandria: Office of Justice, Programs, nd Print.TASC. Clinical case management model. Washington: NP np, 2011. Print.