Drug addiction in Gaithersburg, Maryland

The city of Gaithersburg falls in Montgomery County in the state of Maryland. Population estimates of the city stand at around 58744 people. The city has a very diverse population and also has a rich variety of architecture. It is a heady mix of suburban and urban construction along with its well preserved architecture from yesteryears. The existence of companies like IBM, Sodexo and Lockheed Martin in the city indicate that corporate also has a base here. The city is also home to the 220^th Military Police Brigade of the United States Reserves. The city was established in the late 1700s as an agricultural town and was incorporated in the year 1878.

The high diversity of the city is not always a good thing as the intermixing of cultures also bring with them the drawbacks involved. The problem of drug addiction in Gaithersburg MD is a serious one that the administration has taken pains to battle. The state has a large population of people under the age of 25 which is a concern as they are the age group that is most prone to substance abuse.

The recent development of the city has also brought some vice as drugs like heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, MDMA and other prescription drugs. Marijuana is the most easily available illicit substance in the city. Labeled as a starter drug for more serious drug addiction, marijuana is available in different grades and purities.

Smoking marijuana is also combined with alcohol and leads to a large percentage of DUIs in the city. Alcoholism and drug abuse in Gaithersburg have been seen as a major cause of violent crime also. Besides the regular Mexican and Canadian marijuana that is available throughout the state, the city also sees a supply form locally grown marijuana.

A large number of people are also found to have been growing marijuana in their homes for self consumption. Binge drinking is a common problem among young adults and is also the number one killer among all substances in the city.

Substance abuse in Gaithersburg MD is cornered around the use of three drugs, namely cocaine, heroin and meth. Drug labs that exist in nearby suburban areas supply such drugs into the city through peddlers. Heroin and cocaine of high levels of purity enough to be smoked are available in the city which exposes the youth to these killer drugs.

There have been noted some disturbing trends of the smoking of heroin among teens which should be a concern to everyone and not just the DEA and the administration. Cocaine crack is also a big problem for the city and it affects the age group of 18-25 the most. College students and working professionals have also been seen to use prescription drugs frequently.

Tackling the drug situation in Gaithersburg should not merely be a responsibility of the administration alone as this is a problem with social implications also. Educating the common public and especially the students is very important in this regard as they are the ones who are at maximum risk from drug abuse in Gaithersburg MD.