Drugs and alcohol misuse is an enormous issue in Canada and the figures are not slowing down. There are various initiatives through government-funded and private rehab and treatment facilities to address substance abuse and addiction. It helps to know the reality about alcohol and drug abuse in order to have a clearer view of what you are actually dealing with and how to combat this problem.

Drugs and Alcohol in Canada

According to the Council of British Columbia Health Officer’s report, there are 47,000 deaths that are linked to substance abuse in Canada and this is an annual basis. Previous statistical data showed that more and more Canadian youths and adults are falling prey to the gripping problem that is addiction and dependence on drugs and alcohol.

Based on the 2009 study on Ontario Student Drug Use as conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 42% of students in the Ontario region has used illicit substances while 83% of students who are in the grade 12 level has already tried alcohol. Up to 49% of these students that have tried alcohol admitted that they have been into binge drinking.

Related article: How to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs | Pre-Teens | Teenagers

Substance Abuse and Economy

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse reported that the health care system has a total expenditure of $8 billion due to substance abuse. Marijuana crops on the other hand have generated an approximate amount of $5 billion to $7 billion worth of income from the drugs in an annual basis, according to Edmonton Journal.

Substance Abuse and Social Incidents

The misuse of drugs and alcohol has negative and at times, fatal impact on those that are entangled with the problem on substance abuse. For instance, Statistics Canada reported that up to 60% of illegal drug users are between 15 and 24 years of age and the figures are reaching a much lower age bracket. 54% of female addicts are most likely to prematurely die due to their substance addiction and dependence according to a University of Toronto study. Nighttime drivers are also susceptible to drug abuse especially in B.C. and 10% of these drivers are taking illicit drugs while only 8.1% of them have been tested positive for use of alcohol. Moreover, 12% of pedestrian or road deaths in Canada have been accounted for substance or alcohol abuse according to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation.

Treatments and Recovery Programs

The use and misuse of drugs and alcohol deeply affected the Canadian communities thus there are various initiatives taken to address and put an end to this problem. There are community based treatment and rehab centers which are also government-funded. Those who can afford a private rehab facility also have numerous options to choose from.

Drugs and alcohol have astounding impact in society and the results are increasingly haunting and frightening. Overdose, death, and crimes are almost always associated with substance abuse and it is destroying the very fiber of the society. The good news is that there are also available facilities and programs that are designed for support and treatment. Call Inspire Change Drug Rehab in Vancouver for addiction treatment programs.