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A Devastating Affect on Many
Substance abuse affects more than just the abuser.
- When one member of a family is abusing, all members of the family are affected.
- Children of an alcoholic or drug-addicted parent learn they cannot rely on their abusing parent and often develop academic or social difficulties, depression or personality problems, or, worse, develop their own substance abuse issues as adults.
- 70% of homeless people have or have had serious abuse problems. Substance abuse often leads to homelessness and homelessness often leads to substance abuse. It can be a vicious cycle.
- Substance abuse is a significant contributor to the crime rate. 54% of federal offenders were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they committed their crime.
- Substance abuse places a serious economic drain on our economy in productivity losses, health care and law enforcement costs. In 1992, it was estimated that the total cost to Alberta was $1.6 billion
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