Top Rated Addiction Centers in Connecticut Connecticut Drug Addiction and Treatment Information Connecticut may seem like an unlikely state for a drug problem. It’s out of the way up in the northeast corner of the state, and it’s not exactly a hotbed for criminal activity. So far from the southern borders with most of the biggest drug-producing countries, Connecticut isn’t even near major drug-producing areas. One epicenter for drug use that is nearby, however, is New York City. New York has cleaned up its act to a large degree over the past few decades, but it is and always has been a major source of drugs for the northeast corner of our country. Drug cartels ship drugs into the country through New York City every day, and many residents buy drugs there, as well. By being nearby, Connecticut can’t help but be affected as well. However, the state of Connecticut is struggling with it’s own drug epidemic and the cupriut is prescription opiate drugs. According to an article in the CT Post.com entitled ‘Prescription Drug Abuse Dangerous, Even Fatal,’ it is reported that the number of prescription drug overdose deaths in the state increased 12% since the year 2010. The reason is two fold; the first is that prescriptions are easily accessible through the home medicine cabinet. The second reason is because many Connecticut citizens are not educated on the dangers and risk of taking these drugs. Here is an overview of the drug problem in the state. Connecticut Drug Use Facts & Statistics The following are the primary drug facts and drug use statistics in the state of Connecticut: Connecticut is in the top ten states for marijuana use in the past year among several age groups, including adults 18 to 25 and teens 12 to 17. Connecticut is also in the top ten states for actual addiction to illegal drug addiction among adults 18 to 25. 9.52 percent of residents admit to using illegal drugs in the past month, which is higher than the national average of 8.82 percent. 397 people died from using drugs in 2009. This was higher than the 263 people that died from car accidents and the 173 people killed by firearms. For many years Connecticut had a huge discrepancy between the rates at which different drugs were being used, with heroin far in the lead. The Primary Drugs of Abuse in Connecticut The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports on the various drugs that are used in the state of Connecticut. This is what they found: Marijuana is responsible for about 28 percent of all drug treatment admissions in the state, and this number is currently climbing. The rate has been going up steadily since 2005. Cocaine and crack usage continues to go down. After a high of 40 percent of drug addiction treatment going to cocaine and crack addicts in 1992 (the highest percentage of any drug, the usage rates and treatment of this drug have declined ever since. Opioids and prescription pills are climbing, but they are still less than 10 percent of all treatment sought and performed. Heroin has been the most devastating drug in this state for some time. For half a decade in the late 90s and early 2000s, treatment admissions for the drug stayed right around 60%. This category of drug use has made a sharp drop between 2009 and 2010, but it is still a serious threat to the state. The sharp increase in prescription and other opiate drug use is one of the biggest threats to Connecticut. But, like other states that are facing similar problems having resources that deliver effective drug treatment is the primary solution. As well as education and prevention on the dangers of drugs and further enforcement on prescription drug control. Sources & Resources for Connecticut Drug Treatment WhiteHouse.gov – Connecticut Drug Control Update: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/state_profile_-_connecticut_0.pdf CT Post.com – Prescription Drug Abuse Dangerous, Even Fatal: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Prescription-drug-abuse-dangerous-even-fatal-4891579.php#