BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – – Drug abuse and addiction effect the lives of many individuals across the U.S., Louisiana supposedly has among the greatest amounts of substance abuse in the country.
A recent research study from WalletHub dissected this claim. It compared all 50 states and
Washington, D.C. in regards to: arrest rates, overdose rates, opioid prescriptions, worker drug screening laws and similar drug-related metrics.
The results showed that Louisiana ranked fourth in drug overdose deaths per capita and in opioid painkiller prescription use per 100 people. It likewise ranked fifth in drug arrests per capita.
How bad is the problem in Baton Rouge and nearby locations?
Authorities throughout South Louisiana agree that drug abuse is an ongoing issue.
The East
Baton Rouge Coroner's Office reports that as of May 9 there have been 104 unintentional overdose deaths this year. Authorities say that number may even increase as extra toxicology test results are pending.
Shane Evans, chief of examinations at the coroner's workplace, exposed which drug lags the majority of the fatal overdoses.
" Fentanyl leads at 91% of overdose deaths involve fentanyl, generally combined with other drugs such as methamphetamine," he said.
This reflects a growing nationwide concern. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that every 24 hours, more than 150 people pass away from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl..
What is Louisiana doing about the fentanyl crisis?
Understanding addiction
Why have these sorts of drugs become such a problem?
" I think the existing extremely high overdose numbers are driven by fentanyl dependencies, a number of which started because fentanyl has actually been mixed with their normal drugs of choice," Evans described.
According to Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Lonnie Cavalier, using meth is an ongoing issue in the area.
" It's a low-cost drug, it's manufactured cheap and it can generally be produced in these shake-and-bake type labs in your yard, your garage and the chemicals utilized to produce it are easily offered. It's very easy to make and very easy for the drug user to buy," Cavalier stated.
In addition to their availability and low cost, a few of these drugs can change a person's brain chemistry. The National Institute on Drug Abuse discusses that some narcotics can rewire the brain's procedures to make a person feel depending on an illegal compound.
NIDA explains how, saying, "Most drugs impact the brain's ‘‘ reward circuit,' triggering ecstasy along with flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. A properly working reward system encourages an individual to repeat habits needed to flourish, such as spending and eating time with enjoyed ones. Surges of dopamine in the benefit circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy behaviors like taking drugs, leading individuals to repeat the behavior once again and again.".
This is one reason why NIDA classifies dependency as a persistent disease. And if left uncontrolled, it can cause death.
What regional law enforcement agencies are doing
Thinking about the damaging impacts of illegal drugs like fentanyl and meth, authorities throughout south Louisiana are taking action to eliminate the issue.
Cavalier explained how Assumption is addressing the concern.
" It's two-phased," Cavalier stated. "We have our narcotics department side, which is basically an undercover circumstance, and we likewise utilize our consistent patrol.".
He explained how the uniform patrol finds individuals who are either selling or using narcotics.
" We stop traffic lawbreakers and if they display indications that inform us it's most likely they're possessing meth or any other drug, we motivate deputies to go even more with their examination," Cavalier discussed. "A great deal of times traffic stops lead to grant browse stock search and search warrants. We make arrests for ownership, possession with intent to disperse meth and various drug paraphernalia belongings.".
The East
Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office uses its Narcotics Division in the war on drugs. EBRSO states these specifically qualified representatives manage "concealed operations, street level enforcement, long-term investigations of significant drug wrongdoers, investigations in combination with the DEA, highway interdiction, undercover investigations, hidden audio and video monitoring.".
The Narcotics Division also deals with the District Attorney's Office to ensure that repeat culprits with several drug charges stay behind bars.
Law enforcement representatives throughout south Louisiana are increase efforts to eliminate illegal drugs. What if the issue is closer to house?
When a loved one has a drug problem
It can be ravaging to view a relative or good friend catch the impacts of illegal drugs. Making the option to action in can be difficult.
Cavalier suggested a few methods to assist.
" They can put their enjoyed one in treatment themselves or if it becomes a circumstance where they are a threat to themselves or other people, we can do that though our regional coroner's workplace or a PDC order from a local medical facility," he discussed. "A great deal of individuals contact us about family members who have that addiction due to the fact that meth is very destructive to the body.".
Cavalier stated that when deputies are gotten in touch with to assist someone with an addiction issue, they take it seriously.
" If we've saved a single person, we've achieved what we've set out to do, and I believe we've done that," he stated.
EBR locals have similar options, and Evans said there's one option that he feels is especially effective.
" Long-term, inpatient treatment program," Evans recommended. "If the dependency is related to fentanyl, simply because of the possible lethality involved, the recovering addict should think about long-term medical help such as Subutex or Suboxone.".
When a loved one suffers from addiction, regional resources for households.
EBR-based centers that deal with dependency
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- The Bridge Center for Hope: 3455 Florida St., Baton Rouge, (225) 256-6604
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- Recovery Center of Baton Rouge: 673 E. Airport Ave., Baton Rouge, (225) 927-7475
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- Woodlake Addiction Recovery Center: 3955 Government St. # 2, Baton Rouge, (225) 831-7862
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- Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana: 2325 Weymouth Drive, Baton Rouge, (225) 361-0899
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Other Phone Numbers That May Be Helpful
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- Narcotics Anonymous, Baton Rouge: (225) 381-9609
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- O'Brien House Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention: (225) 344-6345
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