Socially:
	Since prohibition alcohol consumption has increased.
	Alcohol abuse alone costs the nation an estimated $100 billion per year.
	Alcohol is strongly linked to violence and crime.
	Alcohol is one of the leading causes of death.
	Approximately 15 million Americans are alcoholics.
	Because of availability, alcohol ranks as the number one drug of abuse among teens.
	Teen drug use is linked to interruption of education, reduced employment, teen pregnancy, addiction, mental and physical problems.
	Legalization threatens to undermine prevention programs.
	Marijuana is a gateway drug. Teens who smoke marijuana are more likely to use harder drugs (cocaine) and are more likely to attempt suicide, carry a weapon, run away, and engage in unprotected sex.
	Annual expenditures of all federal, state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, public defenders, courts and prisons amounts to less than 1% of total government expenditures.
	What would be the total cost in death, crime, addiction, pain, suffering, broken homes, missed work, production loss, unemployment and child neglect?
	What if your spouse, child, parents, friends or relatives were addicted to drugs?
	Drug dealers are criminals first and foremost.
	The majority of crimes are committed by persons under the influence of drugs including robberies, assaults, homicides, child assaults, spousal abuse and rape.
	Half the homeless are addicts and increasingly supported at public expense.
Medically:
	11% of young mothers use drugs during pregnancy.
	Of babies born 2.5% are addicted and have disabilities. Who do you think pays the majority of the medical costs for addicted babies?
	The harmful physical and psychological effects of heroin, crack, cocaine, LSD and PCP use and addiction are in little doubt.
	No accepted medical uses for smoking marijuana. The use of marijuana has been rejected by the American Medical Association, American Glaucoma Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Cancer Society. Marijuana is a Schedule I drug.
	Unlawful drug use can cause irreversible damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, reproductive, circulatory, and nervous systems.
	Smoking marijuana impairs the immune system.
	Use of unlawful drugs can delay the onset of puberty and adversely affect the reproductive system.
	Consider the costs in liability suits brought against manufactures and distributors of drugs as damages to individuals increases. The tobacco and alcohol industry are facing lawsuits now from people who knowingly and willingly used drugs.
	Unlawful drug use is wrong!
	Overdoses can easily kill!
Helpful hints for dealing with kids and drugs
	Show your children you love them everyday.
	Encourage and support adult supervised after school and weekend activities.
	Assist your children in developing good moral character and cooping skills.
	Get to know your children's friends and their parents very well.
	Set and enforce rules regarding appropriate behavior and consequences for inappropriate behavior.
	Develop and nurture an open dialogue with you children. Most problems are caused by miscommunication.
	Stay involved in every aspect of your children's life.
	Have at least one family meal together each day.
	Set a good example.