I wish all statistical graphics were animated. They will not automatically become clearer or more illuminating, but many can benefit from it. Some a lot, some less—like like this comparison between drug addition and the money spent in the war on drugs.
Watching something like this makes me think that perhaps we should follow the example of Portugal and legalize the hell out of everything. I bet all those war-on-drugs billions would have been much better spent on preventive measures against drug use (like education, betterment of conditions in risk populations, assistance…) than it is being now used against drug trafficking. [Matt Groff and Drugsnotthugs—Thanks Christel!]
Update
If you have questions about the graphic, here’s all the info you need by Matt Groff, the author.
