Jason says in his speech: "Drug abuse in America's cities is on the rise every day. About 20% more elementary school kids get hooked on narcotics today than in the 1960s. So, we can easily see that we've got a big problem. Now let's talk about what we can do about it." What is Jason's error here?

Jason's speech should be as follows:

"Drug abuse in America's cities are on the rise every day. About 20% more elementary school kids get hooked on narcotics today, than in the 1960s. So, we can easily see that we've got a big problem. Now, let's talk about what we can do about it.

Explanation:

In the first sentence Jason uses the incorrect auxiliary verb as the noun referred to is a plural noun and not a singular noun. (Plural Noun = America's cities, therefore the plural auxiliary verb = are)

In the second sentence, a comma may be added for pause to show the comparison between the present and the past. (... narcotics today, than in the 1960s.)

In the last sentence, a comma may be added to indicate additional information, a pause to offer an effect, or an indication of an instruction to follow. (Now, let's talk...)

as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

sadly it cannot chuck wood