Drug Addiction in Halifax, Nova Scotia

There is an ever increasing problem in Canada, and all over the world. Alcohol and drug addiction are running rampant everywhere. Research and studies are showing not only is the problem growing but our best efforts to reduce its effect on our society and its youth are failing to control it. Halifax is not having any more or less luck than anywhere else. Drinking and drug addiction seems to be everywhere and while there are drug treatment centers and programs available to educate the public there always seems to be more people to help than there are available drug addiction programs.

Alcohol can be a factor in many driving accidents, Halifax has its share. Just in February 2011 a man was arrested for being 3 times over the legal limit but what made this somewhat odd was the fact that this arrest was made after a minor traffic accident at 8:50 in the morning. The RCMP stated that people should be aware of impaired drivers at all hours of the day and night. Earlier that same month police arrested a 17 year old man after smelling marijuana on his person. A search of his car later turned up more marijuana, cocaine and assorted drug paraphernalia. Even within the last year, 2010, the mayor of Halifax sent a memo to all of his council about alcohol abuse. It seems there had been complaints from both the public sector and the staff. Alcohol does not much care who you are or where you may work.

Just these brief few examples should go to show just what part drugs and alcohol play in a small town or city.  These drug addiction and abuse incidences happened in Halifax but for all intents and purposes this is representative of many small town and cities just like it. Even the youth are not untouched; studies show that the average age of a young person to begin drinking is around 14. This is an average which means many children actually start earlier.

^{References: http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/768534--police-make-drug-arrest
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/07/14/halifax-mayor-peter-kelly-drinking-memo.html
http://www.learn-about-alcoholism.com/alcohol-statistics.html}