A much larger number abuse legally available substances. The market is rich. In size, power and worth, it exceeds other global industries such as oil, aviation, and automobiles, and may be second only to arms sales. The losers in this deadly industry are not only the people who use the drugs, but also those who produce them. High profit margins enable traffickers to maintain prices well above those of other viable crops, and for every US dollar made from heroin production and supply, the farmer makes 6 cents, the trafficker 90 cents.
Young people harm themselves and wreck their lives through substance abuse.
No drug use is free from risk. Occasional or first time use can damage, even kill, and often begins dependence. I have to do everything I can to stop other young lives being dreadfully wasted . Of course, these are not problems unique to the developed world. Abuse has become a coping mechanism for the harshness of daily life.