For every ten people who consume alcohol or drugs in this country, at least one becomes chemically dependent. The implication of this fact upon the future of our society is enormous. Conservative estimates reveal that some 15 million people are addicted to alcohol alone. As prices drop and availability increases, the number of people becoming addicted to illegal drugs is also climbing steadily. With an estimated one in three U.S. families ravaged by alcohol and drugs, and 87 percent of adults in a recent survey calling drug abuse among teens a very serious problem, preventative action is now necessary within every home.
Surveys report that one in every three fourth graders feels pressure to drink.
Research indicates that the average age at which children first experiment with alcohol or marijuana is 12. And according to a recent Gallup poll, more than 4 million children ages 13-17 said they had been offered illegal drugs in the previous 30 days. Teenage bodies are three times more susceptible to alcohol addiction than adults. Many become alcoholics within six months of their first drink. Chemical substances produce real feelings of euphoria or relief, especially in the early stages of use.