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Mississippi Drug Abuse Statistics
The state of Mississippi is located in southern United States. The state derives its name from the Mississippi River that traverses along its western boundary. Jackson is the capital city of Mississippi and its largest city. Mississippi has a population of 2,910,5401, of which Whites dominate the rest. The Black population stands next. The state is heavily forested and popular for its catfish aquaculture. Tennessee lies to its north, Alabama to its east, Louisiana to its south. It is fed by numerous rivers, viz. Big Black River, Pearl River, Pascagoula River, Yazoo River, and Tombigbee River. It is a beautiful state and a popular tourist hub. Its location on the Gulf of Mexico makes Mississippi gives it a picturesque look. However, its popularity is being shadowed by the rising incidence of drug addiction in Mississippi.
A number illicit drugs and banned substances flood the markets in the state, which has added to the drug abuse statistics in Mississippi. Cocaine poses the biggest threat to Mississippi, thanks to its easy availability. Mexican drug trafficking organizations get easy access to the state because of its proximity to Mexico. These international drug gangs supply drugs to the state by private vehicles using national and interstate highways. Interstates 10 and 20 are targeted by Columbian and Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations to transport powder cocaine to Mississippi. Even African American street gangs use these routes to further their illicit drug trade.
Mississippi, popularly known as the Crossroads of the South, is ideally suited to drug traffickers, thanks to its widespread interstate system, air and rail systems, and deepwater and river ports. This facilitates drug movement from the south Texas/Mexico area. This is the reason why Mississippi has become the hub of drug peddlers and traffickers, who target the state to promote their illicit drug trade.
Most of the local drug peddlers convert powder cocaine into crack cocaine to promote their retail drug business. Caucasian independent groups are promoting the sale of meth in Mississippi. These groups are the primary producers of meth in the state, many of whom are running illicit meth labs. African-American street criminals and groups are also actively participating in the distribution of methamphetamine.
Besides cocaine, meth and marijuana are the other drugs widely abused in Mississippi. Unlike other states, Mississippi does not have a large fan following of heroin. Heroin is considered a minimal threat to the state. Meth is widely abused in Mississippi because of its increasing availability and low cost. Meth abuse poses a great threat to life and the environment. Marijuana continues to pose threat to the young population in Mississippi. Considered a gateway drug for teens and adolescents, marijuana is the most commonly used drug by teens in Mississippi who are beginning to experiment with drugs.
Other drugs popular with the young generation in Mississippi are club drugs, which are not widely available in Mississippi but are highly popular with teens, particularly around university towns. MDMA is the most popular club drug in Mississippi, which is even easily available here. Drug peddlers target youths in clubs and rave parties and supply drugs there, where the visitors, primarily adolescents, fall victim to them.
Apart from club drugs, prescription drugs, such as OxyContin and MS Contin, are being widely abused in Mississippi. Overdose of OxyContin has resulted in a number of deaths in the state. According to 2005-2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data, about 7 percent of Mississippi citizens had reported use of an illicit drug the previous month, of which marijuana tops the list of drugs. The most upsetting fact is that drugs are becoming highly popular with high school students and adolescents. The 2007 statistics show that about 38 percent of 12th graders in the state reported having used marijuana at least once during their lifetime. All these point to the rampant substance abuse in Mississippi.
Spice, mix of dried herbs, is also widely abused in Mississippi. It gives the look of oregano. Herbs are laced with chemicals that have quite similar effect like that of marijuana. Also known as synthetic marijuana, Spice is sold over the counter under different brand names, such as K2, Genie, Spice, and Zohai. Besides drug abuse, alcohol addiction is also a headache for the authorities in Mississippi. Alcohol, being easily available, is quite popular with adults and adolescents alike. Cases of underage drinking and even binge drinking point toward the threat posed by alcoholism to Mississippi. The increasing incidence of alcoholism and drug addiction in Mississippi has tarnished the image of the state.
Numerous drunk-driving cases involving teens have been reported in Mississippi, which shows the popularity of alcohol among the young generation of the state. Alcohol, when mixed with intoxicants like drugs, produces severe repercussions on the brain and leaves the person intoxicated and inebriated for a long period.
The law enforcement agencies are working hard to check the growing threat posed by drug trafficking as well as drug abuse in Mississippi. In 2007, about 777 kg of marijuana was seized by federal agencies in the state. In the same year, under the DEA's Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program, 2,400 cultivated marijuana plants were eradicated in the state.
The Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals is trying to expand drug court programs throughout Mississippi. This organization seeks to create educational opportunities for the professionals of drug court. In 2006, about 7,368 individuals admitted to having undergone drug/alcohol treatment in Mississippi. In the same year, about 66,000 Mississippi citizens reported that they needed treatment but did not get admitted in rehab centers for drug abuse.
The need of the hour is increased awareness about drug abuse and rehabilitation among the Mississippi residents, particularly youths and adolescents. Responsible citizens and private organizations have initiated numerous awareness campaigns and programs to light the candle of awareness in the state. The onus of raising awareness within the family lies with parents or guardians. Raising awareness in this regard at home will ensure that the kids will think twice before using drugs. This will refrain many kids from taking to drugs, thus helping bring down Mississippi narcotic abuse statistics.
Mississippi drug rehab centers are playing a prominent role in treating addicts and helping them come back to the mainstream so that they are confident enough to return to a sober living. Drug rehab centers try hard to motivate the addicts in a way that they find no reasons to relapse.
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