Substance Abuse in Vestavia

Located within both Jefferson and Shelby Counties, Vestavia is a well-known suburban area within the State of Alabama. This city is mostly known for its upscale school and education system. The school system in Vestavia, Alabama is even recognized by the Wall Street Journal. Vestavia High School is well known for its all-round achievements that include not only mathematics and debate, but also baseball. Even the school band is well recognized in the state.

While the young people of Vestavia are doing much to bring honor to their family and neighborhood, there are some darker pictures as well. According to Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry, an increased number of teenagers are abusing prescribed drugs here. Teenagers in this city and the county in general are at a risk of increasing substance abuse. However, it is not limited to the young generation. The root of alcoholism and drug addiction in Vestavia Alabama has gone much deeper, affecting both the adult and the young. In fact, J. Michael Joiner - the Presiding Circuit Judge in Shelby County - voices the same disturbing fact.

To get the picture right, let us begin at the state level. Drug trafficking has become one of the most upsetting factors in Alabama that is keeping the state authorities alarmed. The Mexican, Columbian, and Caribbean Drug Trafficking Groups are very much active in this state. These groups are importing illegal drugs into Alabama. Along with this drug trafficking group, there are local and regional criminal groups, responsible for flowing large number of dangerous and illegal drugs, such as Meth, Cocaine, and Marijuana in this U.S. state. In fact, drug addiction statistics in Vestavia AL mirrors this overall gloomy picture of Alabama.

Statistics show that, in 2006, there were no less than 14,816 arrests in Alabama on the ground of possessing illegal drugs. Even the number of young people arrested on the same charge is not too less either. In 2006, there were 1,118 juvenile arrest cases in this state, which bring out the disturbing picture of the widespread drug addiction among the youth and adults, affecting society in general. Substance abuse in Vestavia AL includes both prescribed drugs and the illegal ones, along with alcoholism. It is indeed a sad picture to see that where one part of the city population is bringing fame to the neighborhood, another part is on the road of steep downfall as a result of rampant drug addiction.

The increasing number of drug addiction cases in Vestavia AL has led to the establishment of a number of drug rehabilitation centers in and around the city, which offer a wide range and scope of treatment facilities to the individuals willing to take help and get rid of the dangerous habit of drug addiction and substance abuse. This willingness should be the first step toward recovery where the rest will be handled with professional care in these rehabs. Addicts must be made aware of the threat posed by drug addiction to them and their families. This awareness will go a long way in bringing the drug abuse statistics in Vestavia Alabama down.