Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jun 2006
Source: Mississauga News (CN ON)
Copyright: The Mississauga News 2006
Contact:  http://www.mississauganews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/268
Author: Simon Dignard

COSTS OF ABUSE

Dear Editor:

Substance abuse does not just affect the user.

Recent studies about substance abuse in Canada showed that alcohol, 
tobacco, and illegal drug use costs a total of $40 billion a year 
with roughly 20 per cent of all health care patients entering 
hospitals with sicknesses from tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs.

This is a definite problem for the economy and can be solved with the 
participation of the public and government.

The government should be providing the public with prevention and 
education programs regarding these substances. Further more, 
substance abusers should be acknowledge the staggering statistics and 
be motivated to live a healthier life.

Simon Dignard

Mississauga
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