OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION ALONE

· 100,000 die of alcohol each year.

· 27% will suffer, sometime in their life, from a substance abuse disorder.

· 25% die of substance abuse.

· 95% of untreated addicts die of their addiction.

· 50% of traffic deaths are alcohol related.

· 50% of homicides are alcohol related.

· 40% of assaults are alcohol related.

· About 50% of state prison inmates and 40% of federal prisoners incarcerated for committing violent crimes report they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of their offence.

· More than 18 million patients currently need alcohol treatment and only 25% get it.

· Costs of alcohol abuse were $205 billion in 2003.

· Costs of drug abuse were $115 billion in 2003.

· For every dollar spent on addiction treatment seven dollars are saved in costs to society in healthcare and criminal activity.