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Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Statistics in Massachusetts
The Bay State or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is located in the New England region of America. Massachusetts was formed after the amalgamation of America’s British Colonies in the 1620s and 1630s. The term Massachusetts can be broken into mass-adchu-s-et, where mass stands for large, adchu means hill, s stands for small, and et is a suffix which is used to identify a location.
Massachusetts is a must visit place for all history buffs because of it being home to numerous national and natural heritage sites. People visiting Massachusetts can visit Cape Cod National Seashore, take a Harvard walking tour, visit the Museum of National Heritage, and many more places. Massachusetts is also the birthplace of famous political families like the Adams and Kennedys.
Massachusetts is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, New York to the west, Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, and New Hampshire and Vermont in the north, making it an ideal location for drug traffickers to bring drugs into this state through various air, rail, road and water routes.
In 2008, the Massachusetts State Police Department made a major drug sweep which resulted in the seizure of 211.9 kg of cocaine, 7.6 kg of heroin, 2.9 kg meth, and 988.6 kg of marijuana. Federal agencies also seized 48,340 units of MDMA from the state.
As part of the DEA’s Domestic Cannabis Suppression Program, more than 2500 cultivated marijuana plants were seized in Massachusetts in 2007. Dominican and Colombian drug smugglers dominate the trafficking of heroin and cocaine in Massachusetts. MDMA is brought into the state from the New York-Vermont border.
National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Here are some drug addictions and alcoholism related figures from the National Drug Control Policy Report which is published every year by the White House:
- The reports show that in the year 2008, more than 20,000 people were arrested for substance abuse related violations. About 12,000 people were arrested for larceny thefts, and 11,746 people were arrested for driving under the influence in the state of Massachusetts.
- More than 550 people were arrested by Drug Enforcement Agencies in Massachusetts for drug related crimes.
- The report further revealed that almost 30% of all Massachusetts citizens admitted to having used marijuana at least once in their life, and 3% of Massachusetts natives become first time illegal drug abusers every year.
- Almost 80% of the high school students in Massachusetts have used alcohol at least once in their life, and 41.2% of all students accepted that they have tried marijuana at least once in their life.
- Every month, 25% new high school students use marijuana, while 11% of high school students start using heroin.
Illegal drugs used for substance abuse in Massachusetts
Heroin and cocaine continue to be the most abused substances in the state, and the problem of underage drinking is also seen to be on the rise across all the cities of Massachusetts. Oxycontin prescription drug abuse is on the rise as well, as it is considered to be the cheaper and better alternative to heroin. Here is some information about major drugs abused by the citizens of Massachusetts:
- Cocaine is available throughout the streets of Massachusetts from a few grams to even large quantities. According to the Massachusetts Police Force, cocaine is being brought into the state from New York, Florida, and Georgia. This drug is being brought into the state using commercial transit routes and in vehicles which have hidden compartments. Crack cocaine is brought in by the groups which are of Colombian, Dominican or of Puerto Rican origin.
- Heroin, which is the second most abused substance in the state, is being brought in directly from Southwestern USA and also from the source countries where this drug is being cultivated. Heroin of different qualities is being sold on the streets at various prices depending on its purity.
- Methamphetamine is not a widely abused substance in Massachusetts, but meth drug addiction is on the rise, especially in adolescents between the age group of 18 to 25 years. Meth is also fast becoming a favored substance among the homosexual community and is rarely being used by people who are in their late 30s.
- MDMA and other club drugs are available in plenty across the state and can be found in rave parties, college campuses, and nightclubs. MDMA is being brought into the state by Asian drug trafficking groups via the New York-Vermont border.
- Mexican drug trafficking groups have also been smuggling marijuana here. Marijuana grown in Mexico, Colombia, and Jamaica is easily available in the state, while hydroponic marijuana, which is a Canadian product, can also be purchased. Marijuana is smuggled into Massachusetts through international flights coming in from The Netherlands and other countries where this drug is grown.
- Prescription drug abuse is on a constant rise in the state, with painkillers like Oxycontin, Percocet, and Roxicet being most commonly used. Drug addicts are also increasingly using Ritalin, which is prescribed for ADHD patients. Ritalin substance abuse is more common in high school students, as this drug is cheaper than other street drugs and also boosts concentration.
Initiatives started by Massachusetts State Government to tackle the problem of substance abuse
To curb the problem of substance abuse in Massachusetts, there are 16 mobile enforcement teams which have been deployed by the DEA since its inception. At last count, there are more than 350 alcoholism and substance abuse treatment centers located in Massachusetts.
The DARE program is being run successfully in many cities across MA to educate young children about the perils of alcoholism and drug abuse. The Massachusetts Inhalant Abuse Task Force was setup in 1995 with the main aim of educating the parents, healthcare professionals, and youths of the state about the dangers of inhalant substance abuse.
All these efforts of the state and federal government have helped in bringing down the substance abuse statistics and drug related crime figures in the state of Massachusetts.
Barnstable is the county seat of Barnstable County. The city is made up of 7 villages, with the largest being Hyannis. Barnstable MA is also the All America City Award 2007 winner and derives its name from Barnstable, located in Devon, England. The city was first discovered in 1602 by ...
Fall River is a city located in Bristol County of Massachusetts and has a total population of 90,931. The city is located at the origin of the Taunton River. During the beginning of the 19th century, Fall City was one of the leading centers for textile manufacturing in the country which were ...
Lawrence, with a population of 70,014, is a city which is a part of Essex County in Massachusetts. Situated on the banks of the Merrimack River, this city, along with Salem, is the county seat of Essex. The famous poet Robert Frost wrote his first poem in Lawrence MA. Lawrence was founded in ...
Tagged as the Jewelry Capital of the World, Attleboro, with a population of 42,833, is a city located in the Bristol County of Massachusetts. Similar to many other places in Massachusetts, this city has been named after a British Town. It was in 1694 that the town of Attleborough was incorporated ...
Springfield is the county seat of Hampden County and the biggest city located on the Connecticut River. Known as the City of Firsts and also as The City of Homes, Springfield has a total population of 150,640. Springfield is also known as the birthplace of basketball, as this is the place where ...
Peabody, with a population of 53,000, is a city located in Essex County of Massachusetts. It was founded in 1626 and was finally incorporated as a city in 1629. Peabody was initially known by names like Northfields, Brooksby and The Farms. The citys name was changed to Peabody on April 30th, ...
New Bedford, with a population of 91,365, is a city located in the Bristol County of Massachusetts. New Bedford is famous as The Whaling City because this was one of the major whaling ports during the 19th century. The original settlers inhibited the area surrounding modern day Dartmouth, and a ...
Methuen is a city located in Essex County of Massachusetts and has a total population of 44,055. The town was established in 1642 and was incorporated in 1726. The town of Methuen was formed after Haverhill town was partitioned by Lt. Stephen Barker in 1725 and was named after Sir Paul Methuen, ...
Named after Paul Revere, the famous American patriot, Revere is a city situated in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The city has a total population of 60,234. Revere was established by the Native Americans of the Pawtucket Tribe who were called Rumney Marsh Indians, but the tribe was completely ...
Lynn is a city which is located in Essex County of Massachusetts and has a population of about 86,957. Lynn is one of the oldest industrial towns of The United States. Located just a stones throw from the state capitol Boston, this city is home to Lynn Heritage State Park and Lynn Beach. Lynn ...
Quincy is a city located in Norfolk County of Massachusetts and has a population of 91,073. The city is named after Colonel John Quincy who was the maternal grandfather of Abigal Asams. Quincy MA is also known as the City of Presidents as it has been the birthplace of former US Presidents John ...
Pittsfield MA, with a population of 42,652, is the county seat of Berkshire County in Massachusetts. According to Farmers Insurance, Pittsfield was ranked as the 20th Most Secure Place to live in 2005. Forbes also named this city as one of 100 Best Small Places for Business in US in 2006. ...
Taunton, with a population of 55,702, is a city and seat of Bristol County of Massachusetts. Taunton derives its named from the Taunton River, which flows through the city. However, some historians believe that this city is named after the southwestern English city of Taunton. Taunton MA is ...
Cambridge MA is a city located in Middlesex County of Massachusetts and is named after the Famous English University of Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University are two premier educational institutes located in this city. The total population of this city is ...
Newton, with a population of 82,461, is a city located in Middlesex County of Massachusetts. Newton MA is not exactly just one city, but is actually a beautiful network of 13 villages such as Auburndale, Newton Center, Chestnut Hill, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Newton ...
Home to the famous Tuft University, Medford is a town located on the banks of the Mystic River. Medford MA is a part of Middlesex County of Massachusetts and is located just 5 miles northwest of downtown Boston. The population of the city is 55,573. Medford MA was founded as a part of ...
Waltham, a city located in the Middlesex County of Massachusetts, is better known as the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Waltham MA has a total population of about 60,236 and is also popularly known as the Watch City because it is the home of the first assembly line of The ...
Recipient of the All America City Award in 2009, Somerville is a city located in the Middlesex County of Massachusetts. Somerville was initially a part of Charlestown, which was founded in 1630. Present day Somerville was called Charlestown beyond the Neck and was incorporated as a town in 1842, ...
Established in 1820 as a planned center for manufacturing textiles, Lowell is the county seat of Middlesex County in Massachusetts. Popularly known as the Spindle City and Mill City, the motto of Lowell is Art is the Handmaid of Human Good. Lowell MA has a population of 103, 615. The city ...
Chicopee, with a population of 54,941, is situated on the banks of the Connecticut River in the Hampden County of Massachusetts. Chicopee MA is part of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. Chicopee is basically a Nipmuck Indian word, and some believe that the name has been derived ...
The City of Seven Hills, Worcester is located in the Worcester County of Massachusetts and has a total population of 182,596. The city, which is the home of many beautiful building designed using Victorian Architecture, is located in Central Massachusetts, which earns it the tag of Heart of the ...
Brockton MA with a population of 93,007 is a city located in the Plymouth County of Massachusetts. Brockton is known as the City of Champions because it is the home of successful boxers Marvin Hagler and Rocky Marciano. Brockton was initially known by the name North Bridgewater, and its name ...
Credited to be one of the oldest cities in United States, Boston is the largest city and capital of Massachusetts. Established by the Puritan Colonists that came to America from England in 1630, Boston became famous as of the important sites where many major activities were carried out during the ...
Haverhill, with a population of 60,521, is a city which is a part of Essex County of Massachusetts. Haverhill MA was established by settlers from Newbury in 1640 and was called Pentucket, which means Place of Winding River. As many of the original settlers belong to Haverhill, England, the city ...
Malden, with a population of 55,597, is a suburban town of Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Malden was established by a group of Puritans on a piece of hilly woodland located on the northern banks of the Mystic River in 1640. Originally a part of Charlestown, this place was earlier known as ...
