Whereas people with mental health diagnoses will often self medicate with drugs and alcohol, it is also true that some people, and especially the young, will develop symptoms of psychiatric disorders when they use drugs and alcohol. It can happen more quickly in the young.
A rapid increase in violence, deterioration of value systems and spirituality can develop in susceptible young addicts as part of the disease.
Statistics show that drugs and alcohol play a large part in illegal actions and activities of all kinds in EVERY age group. Support funding for the presence of counselors adept at recognizing symptoms and signs of addiction as a necessary part of providing mental health services and credible follow-up in schools.
The pathway to extreme violence can be interrupted.