The statistics in Canada for drug addiction have gotten significantly higher in the last ten years.
In the 1990s, according to the CFDP (Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy), marijuana use was up while cocaine and heroin use were down. Just ten years later in 2007, Statistics Canada reported that drug related offenses were at a 30 year high in Canada. On top of this is the 
number of people who use drugs who are not caught in the legal web which would make the count even higher.
Over the years, alcohol and marijuana use has multiplied among teenagers. Heavier drug use such as prescription medications using oxycodone and oxycontin as well as cocaine and heroin use have also risen.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada states that 1 in 5 people will have a mental illness and 20% of those diagnosed will also have a drug addiction problem. This is where a dual diagnosis comes in when a person is seeking treatment for drug addiction. It is very important to treat both the physical and the psychological aspects of a drug problem in order to have a more successful recovery.
Of the different age and gender groups, young adults and teenagers in the age range of 15 to 24 had more drug addiction problems than any other age group. Men are more likely to be alcoholics than women are in any age category as well as be more likely to have a substance abuse problem. On the other hand, women tend to have more anxiety problems and mood swing associated problems.
In Canada, the use of tobacco is the cause of 25% of all deaths. One in four people will die due to the use of smoking cigarettes. These statistics are frightening and red flags yet tobacco use is on the rise rather than the decline.
Most statistics are based on criminology reports in different areas which would make the actual numbers a little bit higher. Some deaths from cancer and heart problems are also a result of a person’s substance abuse in the past. The numbers can never be completely accurate as there are alcoholics and drug addicts who never get caught in the legal sense. Due to family members covering up or a person being practically reclusive, they can manage to stay out of trouble with the law. Still, the numbers that can be confirmed are astonishing enough and show a great need for more drug prevention campaigns and effective substance abuse rehab programs such as Narconon.
Nick Hayes is a graduate of the Narconon drug rehab program in 2005. Nick takes much enjoyment in writing, and feels there needs to be more information about drugs and alcohol provided to the people of the world. He believes nobody should have to go through an addiction.