The Slow Destructions of Society Through Drugs and Alcohol

If the subject of Drugs and Alcohol arises it is often thought of as a personal Problem, however the use of illegal Drugs and over extensive use of Alcohol affects everyone. Alcoholics and Drug Addicts regardless of which Drug they prefer to use, ruin not only their own health and life, but are also potentially the cause of the demise, destruction and death of those around them. News of Car Accidents with the resulting death of an innocence Child, the destruction of an entire Family or the permanent handicap of a Mother or Business Person is heard on the local and national News as well as any other Media outlet on a daily basis. The cause being the Person behind the Wheel driving under the influence of either drugs, alcohol or both. This is however not where it stops, but only the tip of the iceberg of the destructiveness of Drugs and Alcohol. What about the physical, mental or verbal abuse Victims of those cohabitating with the afflicted Person or Persons?

Not even the fortunate ones who are not involved in either a disastrous Relationship of any kind or as a Victim of an Accident stay unaffected by the complications and cost that this scourge inflicts on People all over the globe. Everybody, regardless of their social standing, age, race or greed is affected by this serious social Issue. The Tax Payers are the ones that are footing the Bills on the War against Drugs. On illicit Drugs alone the USA has been shelling out more then 200 Billion Dollars, add the cost of Alcohol related costs and it just risen to the staggering figure of 500 Billion Dollars. Certainly that is an impressive amount and it is thought that with such a high output each Area of the War against Drugs and the rehabilitation of the Alcoholics and Drug addicted is well under control, that however is incorrect. The Fact is that less then 20% of Drug and Alcohol Users get the Treatment they need, regardless how of the constant building of new Rehabilitation Centers and Clinics. The Facts are that even the newest Centers are often grossly understaffed in many cases.

At a current Rate of more then two million inmates in our correctional facilities approximately half that number are estimated to be inmates qualifying for our Nations standards for Drug and Alcohol Dependency and this Number is raising on a daily Basis.
What does that mean to the Tax Payer and the Government? It means that if the Medical Treatments would be able success, with success being the Keyword, and the Medical Staff would be able to treat these Inmates suffering from Drug and Alcohol Dependency we would be able to cut Crime by as much as 80% and arrests by about 64% according to Studies by NIDA.

However, it is necessary in the name of fairness to point out that not only the criminal element is held in the bonds of these addictions, but the everyday working man and woman, good and decent People, succumb to this illness. According to the to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration over 22 Million Americans were classified with substance abuse and drug or alcohol dependence problems. This alone is enough to be of concern to, add that that the fact that first time users are often younger then 18years of Age and more then 50% of them being female, the problem has just become magnified. Drugs and Alcohol abuse is perhaps not the only cause for teenage pregnancies or accident related death, but it is without question the leading cause by far. Adding yet an even further cost to the Taxpayers pockets for abortions and the care of unwanted children left behind to federal child protective services or to the pockets of the already overstretched Welfare departments with under aged, drug addicted or alcoholic Parents unable to support their children by them-selves. Not to mention that if the substance abuse was current during the pregnancy a further cost for rehabilitation for the newborn is necessary. Most children of drug user Mothers get born with the Drugs already firmly in their system and they suffer through the detoxification Period after their Birth. A great shock for their little bodies.

Over eight thousand People are trying drugs for the first time daily, that makes right around 3 Million new drug users yearly. This is covering only the United States, keeping in mind that this our country houses approximately 4% of the Global Population and consumes 2/3 of the illegal Drugs manufactured and grown in the World. The facts are staggering and shows how great the horribly destructive effects of drugs and alcohol abuse really are if left with out aid.

Staying away from accidental death, criminal offenses and the like, there are further complications to deal with. Drug and Alcohol dependency is one of the largest causes that is the devils circle named depression. Yes, depression is linked heavily to drug usage and alcoholism. Not all Drug Abuse is of the Street Drug type. Sadly the abuse of prescription Drugs occurs all to often. The Medication which was used for good if abused, can become the thing that can potentially will the cause of untimely death. Often one problem leads to the next and the circle is ever increasingly intensifying the Problem. Drug or Alcohol abuse intensifying the feeling of being out of control, therefore feeling worthless and with starting the symptoms of depression, from there going to the feeling of desolation and wanting to forget or stop the process of living and it returns to the abuse of Drugs or Alcohol, which as the problem in the beginning.

Workplaces across the United States often take losses of 100 Billion a Year or more due to lost productivity, injury claims and other loss caused by the after affects of Drug Abuse and Alcoholism. The wages stagnate and the Health Cost rises. Drug Tests have become not only advisable, but necessary. Therefore again costing the Employers thousands of Dollars before the hiring has even been completed.