| Will the floundering economy have any effect on | | | | difficult times. They may have to lower their prices, |
| illegal drug use? The short answer is yes. This doesn't | | | | much the same as the Oil Barons, but they will not |
| mean that addicts will all of a sudden stop using | | | | slow down. Remember it was during the Great |
| drugs. The user that would sometimes drink in bars | | | | Depression that prohibition was repealed and our |
| or clubs will probably have to take their addiction | | | | country saw a sharp rise in alcoholism. |
| home to save a few bucks. Alcohol and drugs are | | | | When our government tightens its economic belt the |
| often used to escape problems and feelings. As the | | | | casualties are very often those programs that deal |
| Economy worsens those that abuse drugs and feel | | | | with drug/alcohol problems. Drug Treatment Centers |
| the pressure will want to hold on to their addiction to | | | | that are funded by the county and state will have to |
| avoid the reality of difficult times. With less income | | | | greatly reduce staff just to keep their doors open. |
| the nuisance of paying bills will take a back seat to | | | | Less work means fewer people with insurance that |
| paying their drug/alcohol expenses. | | | | can afford private drug rehab centers. A weaker |
| Illegal drug use and the economy will have little | | | | economy does not mean less illegal drug use it just |
| negative effect on the traffickers. Actually monies | | | | means fewer people will be able to find the help they |
| used to fight the illegal drug trade will probably be | | | | need to quit those drugs. |
| used elsewhere and traffickers may thrive during | | | | |