All of us have probably heard the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Nowhere is that more true than with the issue of substance abuse. In fact, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, every dollar invested in education can save from $2 to $10 in costs down the road. That may not seem like much at first glance, but imagine the savings that could come from a $100 educational investment – anywhere from $200 to $1000! It’s a safe bet that drug addictions and their related costs usually add up to be much more than just $100, so feel free to plug whatever numbers you want into that equation… and prepare to be astounded by the results.
While the financial implications of substance abuse education are important, they pale in comparison to the actual human lives that are positively affected. In many cases, education can vastly improve the decision-making power of hundreds of people who are directly at risk. As they make good choices, their quality of life will improve. And as their quality of life improves, people will have a positive influence on their family, friends, and workplaces. Every person has incredible potential, and escape or altogether avoidance of addictions can free individuals to live up to theirs.
There are many aspects of substance abuse that preventative education covers. These include lots of helpful and potentially lifesaving information, such as:
- What substance abuse is to begin with
- How drugs of all types, including alcohol, affect the human mind and body
- Why drugs are abused and when to know you’re at risk
- How to recognize an addiction in yourself and others
- What to do if you suspect a loved one is struggling with an addiction
- The physical, mental, and social consequences of drug abuse
