South Carolina Drug Statistics Take a Turn for the Worse

The state of South Carolina has implemented many tactics for lowering the South Carolina drug statistics without much success. Despite all of the efforts from not only law enforcement, but families and communities as well, the drug statistics seem to be taking a turn for the worse. This is highly due to the presence of drug trafficking cartels throughout the state. Drug trafficking cartels transport many types of drugs into the state and deliver them wholesale to local drug dealers who in turn sell them in retail amounts to the residents. The drug traffickers in the state seem to be the biggest issue although, it doesnt help to have many residents who are addicted to the drugs which causes the demand for the drugs in the first place. Without the high demand for the drugs, there would be no need for the supply. Although, year after year people become addicted to drugs in South Carolina and with each year, the demand increases. It is a vicious circle that seems never ending. When there is the presence of drug addiction, there is also the presence of crime, violence and death. Drug addiction is a devastating disease that kills more quickly than most other diseases and has no cure.

South Carolina is considered a hub for the transport of illegal drugs into areas throughout the state as well as other states in the country. The drug traffickers transporting these drugs are mainly the Mexican, Colombian, Dominican and African American ethnic groups. The majority of the drugs brought into South Carolina come from other countries and states within the nation. The drug traffickers use cars, trucks, planes and railroads to move their drugs through South Carolina. When the drugs arrive into the state, they are sold to independent dealers and local street gangs who sell them on the streets to the South Carolina residents. The presence of the drugs shows to have some very high cost consequences in the state.

Crime is one of the major consequences when it comes to the presence of drugs. Street gangs fight over drug selling turf and innocent people get caught in the middle which costs many lives each year. The amount of drug abuse in the state rises also with the presence of the drugs. South Carolina drug statistics show that during 1997 through 2000, the number of people being admitted for drug treatment went up by 11%. This number was more than what the entire population of South Carolina increased in the same time which was 6%.

There are various types of drugs that are used and distributed in South Carolina. Among them, the most used ones are cocaine, heroin, marijuana and meth. Crack cocaine is among the biggest of drug threats to the state because of its highly addictive nature, the rising number of residents abusing it and the linked violence. This is true in the city as it is in the rural areas of the state. Cocaine is transported in large amounts by the Colombian drug trafficking groups. The most common form of transportation for the cocaine is by large commercial boats.

Marijuana that is grown in Mexico is the number one drug of choice in South Carolina. It is also the most used and easiest to obtain. Some Marijuana is grown outdoors in the state but growth is more common indoors. Drug treatment admissions in the state are higher than in the entire nation. According to reports, South Carolina drug statistics are not decreasing but instead rising.

Meth, heroin and other drugs like ecstasy and GHB are available in the state but are moderately used and only smaller amounts are seen throughout the state. Youth residents in South Carolina are among the frequent users of these types of drugs.

When someone is addicted to drugs, it affects everyone around them. Families dont understand why their loved one has fallen victim to drug use and the drug abuser doesnt understand why their families cant accept them for who they are. The truth though is that if people dont ever talk about drug addiction, they will never get to the bottom of it and they will likely never understand. This leaves the drug abuser feeling like they have no option but to turn away from the family because they are not understood. This doesnt solve anything though. The drug abuser needs support in order to overcome the drug abuse. They need people who will be there for them and even if they dont understand it, they should try and at least be present to offer the support.

Many drug abusers may not realize that they have an addiction to a drug and this denial leads to a heavier addiction. As the addiction gets stronger, the abuser falls deeper into a loss of reality and loses focus on everything that is real. What the drug abuser is left with is a completely drug driven life. A life that is focused on the use of the drug and how they will get it everyday. Typically at this point, the abuser needs an intervention in order for them to get clean from the drugs. Only the family of the drug abuser holds the power to create an intervention and get them the help they desperately need from a drug treatment center.

Drug treatment centers in South Carolina offer treatment programs that are specifically created to suit each drug abusers needs regardless of age or drug of choice. The staff at drug treatment centers are dedicated to providing treatment services focused on the recovery of the drug abuser so that they can get off the drugs and live a longer, better life.

It is not just the drug abuser that needs to be present during the recovery treatment at a drug center. Families, friends and loved ones are essential to providing support to the drug abusers during their hard time. Additionally, the support should be present long after the treatment is completed in order to help keep the drug abuser from relapsing and going back to the drugs.

Drug treatment centers in South Carolina can be successful. With the drug abuser willing and the support provided by staff and family members, the abuser has a good chance of breaking free from the destruction of drug abuse and staying that way.