project s.t.e.p. - support treatment education prevention

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The bad news …

Every year, addiction costs our economy $1,200 for every man, woman and child — or 2.6% of the GDP. (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2006)
Every year, the total economic cost attributable to drug and alcohol abuse in Ontario is $6.7 billion. (The Economic Costs of Mental Disorders and Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit Drug Abuse in Ontario, 2000, 2006)
Many young people experiment with tobacco and alcohol at an early age — some as young as 11. Even more surprising is that these so-called “non-harmful” drugs are a gateway to far worse substances and that at least one out of every 10 young people will move on to use harder-core drugs. (Drug Use Among Ontario Students: 1977-2005 (2005), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
Of the teens who commit suicide every year, more than 60% were addicted to drugs or alcohol. (Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre)

The good news …

For every dollar spent on addiction treatment and prevention today, at least $5.60 will be saved in future associated costs. (Report of the Provincial Auditor for Ontario, 1999)
Schools that have an education and prevention program in place reported tremendous success, with 60% of the students who received counselling reducing their substance use significantly over the school year, 40% increasing their grade average and 80% finishing their school year.

Adolescent AOD Addiction (PowerPoint), by Glenn Barnes, June 5, 2009