Welcome to America (Part 1): Land of Destruction

This post is the first in a three part series based on the song "Welcome to America" by the Christian rapper Lecrae. The song's three verses are all told from the viewpoint of a different person. The first verse is through the eyes of a drug dealer. With that being said, this first post will focus on the issue of drugs in America.
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Drug Overview
Did you know that the illegal drug market in the U.S. is one of the most profitable markets in the world (U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency)?  Well, it is. Drug trafficking and usage hurt America's economy and citizens greatly every year.

Drug Use
According to Drug War Facts, there were 24.6 million currently using illicit drugs in 2013. This means nearly 10% of the U.S. population uses illegal drugs! Worldwide about 3-7% of people use illegal drugs (DWF). This means there is a greater percentage of users in the U.S. than there is worldwide (in terms of % of population). Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States by far with 19 million current users (DWF, 2013). When studying students in grades 8, 10, and 12 it was found that 1/4 use marijuana on a regular basis (DWF, 2013). In a study done, 15% of seniors in high school use an illegal drug other than marijuana (DWF, 2013). Drug use is definitely something we should be aware of.

Drug Costs
Most people are not aware of the costs of drugs. Drugs have cost America money and lives. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says illegal drugs cost the U.S. 181 billion dollars each year. Not only do drugs cost the U.S., drugs also cost students. Two hundred thousand students have lost financial aid because of involvement in drugs (NIDA). Drugs have also cost many their lives. In 2013 over 40,000 American citizens died of drug overdoses (NIDA). Countless actors, actresses, singers, musicians, and celebrities have had their lives taken from them due to their involvement with drugs. Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died in February of 2014 at age 46 due to overdose of heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines (CBS). Pop singer Whitney Houston died of cocaine overdose and drowning at the age of 49 in 2012 (CBS). Comedian and actor Chris Farley died in 1997 when he was 33 of heroin, morphine, and cocaine (CBS). The Doors front man Jim Morrison died from a heroin overdose in 1971 when he was just 27 (CBS). Janis Joplin died of the same fate a year prior; she was also 27 (CBS). Glee actor Cory Monteith died from a toxic mix of alcohol and heroin at the age of 31 in 2013 (CBS).

Conclusion
Drugs are a huge problem in the U.S. but we don't recognize it. Drugs cost us as a nation financially. Drugs cost us great talent because stars are taken captive by drugs. Students lose sight of their goals, get caught in drugs, and lose financial funding for their futures. Everyday people overdose and lose their lives, which affects their families and friends. Drugs cost us too much. We need to take a stand and stop letting drugs ruin our lives.

Resources
Know The Truth
National Institute on Drug Abuse