Alcoholism/ Drug Addiction Statistics in Worcester

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 Commonwealth.

Worcester earns its name from the historic city of Worcester, England, and it was initially inhabited by the Pakachoag tribe belonging to the Nipmuc nation. The place was initially called Quinsigamond, which means fishing ground for pickerel. In 1772, Worcester was incorporated as a town and became a city in 1858. Worcester MA is also known as the Woo Town or the Wormtown.

Worcester MA, which is the second largest city in the state, suffers from the problem of drug abuse and alcoholism. According to the survey which was conducted by the local health agencies, 19% of the Worcester population suffers from the problem of alcoholism. About 20% of the city youth consume two or more glasses of alcohol every day. Also, 80% of the crimes happening in the city were drug related crimes, and 30% of the road accidents took place because of drunken driving.

Rising drug addiction and alcoholism statistics in Worcester MA made local authorities join hands with the Fighting Back Program which was started by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to educate the youth of the city about the dangers of drug abuse. The Fighting Back Program in Worcester MA was established in 1990 and aimed at curbing the illegal drug addiction and alcoholism problem in the city. This foundation helps in establishing a couple of drug courts in the city which looks after the treatment of youth and adults arrested for nonviolent alcohol and drug related offenses.

Worcester Fighting Back Program also founded FAITHWORKS, a group which works towards educating youngsters against the dangers of drug abuse and various other alcohol related problem. The Elders at Risk program was started to inform healthcare workers and physicians about the growing problem of substance abuse which exists among baby boomers in the society. The Spartacus program was started to educate teenagers between the age group 12-17 about the perils of drug addiction and alcoholism.

The Fighting Back Program has helped the community in promoting healthy habits among its citizens to discourage them from using illegal substances which can adversely impact their health. This program has helped the physicians in earlier identification of the problem in addicted individuals, thus assisting them in determining the correct treatment to help patients overcome the problem of drug abuse and alcoholism. The Fighting Back Program creates awareness among the masses as well as part of its mission to make Worcester drug free.

Besides educating the Worcester members about the dangers associated with drug abuse, there are various drug addiction rehabilitation centers located in the city to help individuals who are in the grip of illegal drugs and alcohol. Most of these drug abuse and alcoholism treatment centers carry out an initial assessment of the patient to get a clear understanding of their problem and decide the course of treatment. These centers also provide post treatment care so that the patients do not relapse back into hold habits.

Lets join hands with local authorities and improve the quality of life in Worcester by making it a drug free place.