What Are Costs Of Drug Use To Society In Alberta?

Any person who is the citizen of a country is expected to make some contribution to his country in the form of some measures he takes for the welfare of society and improvement of things in general and also to help the poor and needy. Towards this end, the state spends millions of dollars I the education of children and teenagers in schools and colleges. It is expected that these people will learn something of use and also avail of the knowledge obtained for their own betterment and also betterment of society.

Drug use is harmful to the physical and mental health of the user and as a consequence it not the only sufferer. His immediate family, circle of friends and also the society in which he lives find him not useful for any worthwhile purpose.  Parents who have spent all their lives to bring up their children in comfort and in healthy atmosphere and also go out of their way to give them a very good education find themselves helpless when a member of the family takes to drugs. The cost in terms of dollars to the parents can be estimated but the cost in terms of agony created cannot be quantified in terms of dollars.  Instead of being a source of help and strength to the family he becomes a liability, needing help, both financial and moral from those around him.  This is particularly unfortunate if a person gets afflicted with drug abuse, after getting a high level of education and also a very good employment. Parents feel totally disheartened.

The society in which the addict lives is equally disappointed.  If the state has spent money in his education, health measures etc. the money comes from the tax payer and he feels cheated. The cost to the society is therefore in millions of dollars. In addition to the waste of money society has in its midst a person who is not of much use to them.