Eighty-thousand is a big number. But when you consider that it is the number of alcohol related deaths in the United States each year, it somehow seems much bigger. Add to that the 20.4 million people who are using illicit drugs each month, and it is clear to see that drug abuse is a big problem in this country. When you break it down by state, the figures don’t get any kinder, and if you look at The Effects of Drugs in America, you will notice that there is actually a shocking number of drug-related deaths every single minute. There is an estimated 2.5 million years of potential life that is lost on an annual basis from excessive alcohol use. Don’t be afraid to get help for a drug or alcohol problem; those closest to you will thank you for the extra years.