Shocking options for St. Paul
St. Paul is the second largest city in Minnesota, and is the smaller of the twin cities. Together with Minneapolis, the twin cities represent the largest economic center in the mid-west, after Chicago. Inevitably, the economic growth has had unfortunate side effects. A CDC report released last year revealed the number of U.S. heroin users has grown by nearly 300,000 over a decade. Among Minnesotans, however, alcohol abuse is the foremost problem. Fortunately, there are solutions available to people who are struggling in the St. Paul area. St. Paul drug treatment centers are available to help addicts in the region get their lives back on track.
Substance Abuse Struggles in St. Paul
As of 2013, Minnesota has the 5th lowest drug overdose mortality rate in the United States, at 9.6 fatalities per 100,000. A majority of these deaths are due to prescription drugs. Although the painkillers are often easier to find, at up to $2 per milligram, they don’t particularly run cheap. This can propel users further down the drug spectrum, into heroin or meth.
However, alcohol is abused most in Minnesota and in America. The consequences of alcohol and drug use cost Minnesota an estimated 25.9 billion dollars in 2000 in reduced and lost productivity, crime, premature death, law enforcement, health care, property damage, car accidents, and social welfare programs. Moreover, prescription drug abuse has been getting some attention Minnesota. In a recent report, a massive spike in usage and in mortality has had a terrible impact on communities across the state.
Adverse consequences related to heroin and other opiates continued their stronghold in the Twin Cities in 2014. A record-high 14.6 percent of admissions to addiction treatment programs were for heroin in 2014, of which 37.5 percent were age 18–25. For the first time ever, almost as many admissions were for heroin in 2014 (3,208).
Preventing and curbing alcohol misuse will go far in reducing the economic and social costs of substance use. Realizing this, Drug Prevention Resources, Inc. (DPRI) commissioned a community survey to examine the social norms that may influence underage and high risk drinking.
Surprisingly, Minnesota secondary students reported 68% lifetime alcohol use and 33% current use. 23% of secondary students reported having five or more drinks on one occasion. About 68% of secondary students said it was very or somewhat easy to get alcohol if they wanted some.
St. Paul Drug Treatment Solutions
Fortunately, there is good news for addicts in St. Paul who are looking for help to break their addictions.
Since 2004, Minnesota has participated in a prescription drug monitoring program, designed to flag those who exhibit behavior related to abuse or diversion. Moreover, the report also found that Minnesota received a 4 out of 10 on possible indicators of promising strategies to help curb prescription drug abuse. Nationally, 28 states and Washington, D.C. scored six or less.
Recently, there have been some national breakthroughs as well. Last year, Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act and the CARA (Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act), which allocated more than $1 Billion in an effort to aid treatment efforts all around the country. Such funding means that treatment is available for those who want it.
