Drug and Alcohol Statistics in Florida

Not only is the illegal drug market alive and well in America, it is one of the most profitable in the entire world.  Drug trafficking occurs all across the country and the state of Florida is no exception
With boundless miles of coastline, there have been significant and prolonged struggles with law enforcement officials attempting to keep illegal drugs from being brought into the state.  The methods used to transport drugs throughout the country are different. Statistical information points to land smuggling as being the most common way traffickers bring various substances into the state of Florida.

Various drug trafficking organizations attempt to smuggle in drugs through maritime means such as container ships, cruise vessels, commercial fishing boats, and recreational water vehicles and speed boats.  Drugs are usually packed in hidden compartments, mixed in with legitimate goods and concealed by passengers or crew members of the vessel.  Despite a large number of illegal drug shipments being confiscated and never reaching the shores of Florida, there are still serious problems with abuse and addiction to drugs.

According to the Florida Medical Examiners report, each day five people die as a direct result of prescription drug overdoses.  The favored drugs of abuse are Hydrocodone products such as Vicodin, Percocet, Darvocet and Oxycodone products and particularly OxyContin.  According to recent statistical information approximately 1.2 million people in the states aged 12 years and older have reported using illegal drugs within any given month and rates continue to rise and the first time median age use is declining.

• As of April 2007, there were 88 Drug Courts in Florida that had been operating for at least two years.

• Approximately 20.7% of inmates in the Florida prison system on June 30, 2007 were incarcerated for drug offenses.

• More than half (51.4%) of the drug offenders incarcerated in the Florida prison system on June 30, 2007 had committed a manufacturing/sale/purchase offense. The remaining drug offenders had committed a trafficking (24.2%) or possession/other drug offense (24.5%).

• 2006-2007, the Bureau of Substance Abuse Programs provided mandatory, in-prison substance abuse treatment to 6,771 Florida inmates.  

• Approximately 65.1% of total Florida inmate population on July 1, 2007 had been screened to be in need of substance abuse treatment services.

• As of February 2008 11.8% of offenders on probation in Florida were on probation for drug offenses.

• During the first half of 2007, there were 398 deaths in Florida in which cocaine was found at lethal levels in the body of the deceased. During full year 2006, there were 829 reported deaths in which cocaine was found at lethal levels in the body of the deceased.

The report compiled by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles below show the alarming number of deaths due to driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Drug and Alcohol Motor Vehicle Fatalities in Florida

Alcohol-related fatalities 1,169 1,004  
Alcohol-related injuries 15,736 14,130  
Alcohol-related crashes 22,259 20,085  
Alcohol-related fatal crashes 1,073 921
Alcohol-related injury crashes 10,025 8,994  
Drug-related fatalities 136 113  
Drug-related injuries 819 977  
Drug-related crashes 1,161 1,283  

There is some good news on the horizon. Alcohol related fatalities decreased between 2008 and 2009 by 14%. With proper treatment and aftercare the professionals in Drug and Alcohol Rehabs Centers in Florida hope to further decrease these numbers. Providing Interventions, Detox, Treatment and Relapse Prevention helps those who are suffering from the disease of addiction, so that they do not have to become a statistic.

Treatment Statistics

• During 2006, there were 47,627 admissions to drug/alcohol treatment in Florida. There were 37,498 such treatment admissions during 2005. During 2004, there were 104,737 admissions to treatment.
   
• Each year the number of admissions to treatment rises, this is bittersweet news. On one hand it is great to know that so many people are getting help these days. However, that fact that so many people are reaching out for help is shocking. It is sad when we as a society realize that so many families are affected by the disease of addiction.

• When dealing with an addictions to illicit drugs or prescription drugs or alcohol. A person is putting themselves at great risk of health problems and can experience an accident or fatal overdose.  Drugs and alcohol can be very dangerous either alone or particularly volatile when mixed. If you or someone you love suffers from an addiction in any form, time is of the essence and it is a situation which requires an immediate response.  Contact a Florida drug and alcohol treatment center today and stop the cycle of addiction and get the help you need to start living a brand new clean and sober life.