Drug Addiction Statistics in Houma

Houma, Louisiana is located in Terrebonne Parish and derived its name from the Houma Indian tribe. The city has a population of 32,571 as per July 2009 estimates and traces its heritage to the American Civil War in Louisiana.

Houma and its neighboring cities have a rich, vibrant Cajun backdrop and culture well renowned for its food, music, lifestyle, and tradition. The city plays host to the local Mardi Gras festivities every year and has its significant share of historic buildings, museums and attractions like the, the Folklife Culture Center, Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, Southdown Plantation, Regional Military Museum, and other tourist attractions.

A large number of the local population consists of fisherman and ship builders, and despite the advent of a fast paced city life here, Houma has retained its unique identity and quaint city charm that has a lot to offer, much like the entire state of Louisiana.

However, even in Houma Louisiana substance abuse and alcoholism problem has set its roots and is threatening to hamper the positive growth of society. Drug addiction in Houma Louisiana is fast becoming a constant cause for concern for the citizens, local government, and law enforcement, who bear the responsibility of not just curbing the supply and distribution of drugs, but also of organizing awareness programs, help groups, and aiding the growth of various drug rehab centers in Houma LA to offer round the clock assistance to drug abusers.

The proximity of Louisiana as a state and Houma to the Gulf of Mexico poses many challenges to drug enforcement agencies that are well aware of the intricacies of the drug trade. Drug cartels from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and other regions like Central America exploit the states highways and waterways to supply illegal and prescription drugs to New Orleans, after which these bulk drugs are distributed in many cities like Houma. Though Shreveport and Baton Rouge in particular witness a large influx of illegal substances, Houma is not spared from the wrath and perils of this social problem.

Marijuana and hard drugs like cocaine, heroin, meth, ecstasy and other party drugs have many takers in the younger population, and due to this demand, drug suppliers manage to sneak in such substances on school and college campuses, thus endangering the lives and hampering the potential of many students and young adults. To address and deal with this problem, drug rehab centers offer workshops to complement the usual treatment programs.

Workshops offered by rehab centers may vary according to the philosophy of each treatment facility, but many centers organize regular programs to educate addicts about topics such as self care and soul based psychology, while even arranging dancing lessons and exercise regimes in order to motivate abusers and give them something to look forward to. Another popular route taken by facilities is to introduce step-by-step programs to ease addicts into following a new lifestyle.

Also included in rehab programs are free talk and life skills, wherein former rehab patients share their stories in order to inspire addicts, and where substance addicts are taught various skills sets and encouraged to take up extracurricular activities to hone their social and individual skills.