Alcoholism and drug abuse have no prejudices. They affect all races, all ages and all economic groups – young or old, rich or poor, at any educational level. Everyone, and their loves ones, can be a target. And the results are devastating. Alcoholism and related problems cost the U.S. an estimated $300 billion annually – in reduced productivity, impaired health, accidents, death and medical costs. Yet as a nation we spend only $15 billion annually on treatment. We must take action to address these alarming statistics:
- At any given time, nearly 22 million Americans are classified with substance dependence or abuse.
- Sixty-three percent of all Americans say that alcohol or other drugs has had an impact on their lives personally or through friends or family.
- Alcohol contributes to over half of all deaths associated with automobile accidents.
- Of those arrested between the ages of 23 and 44, over 55% of the arrests are due to drug abuse violations.
Closer to home, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, in a series of articles written during 2008, that “drunken driving touches every corner of Wisconsin. More than 1,600 people died from Jan. 1, 2003, to Dec. 31, 2007, in alcohol-related accidents.” Click on this link to read heart-rending stories of lives wasted, dreams destroyed and families devastated by alcohol abuse: www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/30919394.html.
At Matt Talbot Recovery Center, we are committed to doing our part every day to better our community by providing programs and services for the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse. We are dedicated to transforming lives by serving each of our residents with skill and compassion. Thank you for visiting our website.
Sincerely,
