Frightening Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Facts and Statistics
October 11, 2008
Alcoholism and drug addiction are problems that are growing in severity and spreading like wild fire. The thing is - are we doing enough about these problems? Do enough people actually understand how bad and dangerous alcohol and drugs actually are?
Here then are a few drug addiction and alcoholism facts that will hopefully help a few more of us become aware of the devastation that they can cause. Drugs and alcohol can not only destroy and take innocent lives, but devastate communities and families.
1) More than 50% of all fatal road accidents involve alcohol
2) The use and abuse of drugs and alcohol is a major cause of injury and death in teenagers and young adults.
3) Violent and aggressive behaviour caused by alcohol is said to account for approximately 50% of murders and 52% of rapes.
4) Around 90% of street muggings and property theft are made by addicts to support their addiction.
5) Approximately 20 million people over the age of 12 use drugs in the US and around 20,000 people die each year from their addiction
I’ve just touched on a few facts about alcoholism and drug addiction - but I’m sure you get the picture. It annoys me that alcohol abuse and binge drinking is glamorised by many still - with how drunk you got over the weekend or at a party a central topic of conversation come Monday morning in the office or at school/college. Alcohol kills people - often innocent ones.
And why isn’t more being done to eliminate the drug dealers, who take advantage of the vulnerable and young in our communities? It’s just plain cowardice targeting youngsters, especially because they are the most vulnerable, with drugs like heroin.
I fear things are just going to get worse - because what can we really do? Prevention is the only real answer, but until attitudes change towards alcohol abuse and those that infiltrate our streets with drugs are dealt with, we’ll always be too far behind, constantly trying to play catch up.
These facts and statistics with regards alcoholism and drug addiction are only a drop in the ocean because we’re dealing with problems that are simply out of control. Ultimately though it’s up to us to take responsibility for our own lives, lead by example and hope others follow. With time we can only hope that mindsets change and progress is made.
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