Punta Gorda Drug Abuse Statistics

Punta Gorda is the principal city of the Punta Gorda Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area and also the county seat of Charlotte County. Apart from the hurricanes that have hit the city in 1992 and 2004, the city also faces a significant threat from drug abuse. Be it prescription drugs or illegal ones, Punta Gorda sees it all.

Since the city is located at the culmination point of Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, it often becomes the transportation ground for drug mafia to carry out their operations. This exposes Punta Gorda to a lot more drugs than the interiors of the country. Of the 4,21,000 people in Florida who are dependent on illegal drugs, a significant percentage is in Punta Gorda. However, while illegal drugs are a problem here, this does not mean that prescription drugs are not abused in the city. Abuse of prescription drugs is rather high in Punta Gorda, especially when it comes to the teenagers.

Right from medications prescribed for ADHD to opiate derivates, teens seem to be taking them all. Hydrocodone, Oxycontin, Xanax and even Valium are some of the common drugs that are abused in Punta Gorda. Strangely more often than not, kids find these drugs in the patients medicine cabinets and from here begins their first step to addiction.

Some kids use these drugs in the hope of loosing weight, while others are looking to increase their concentration powers while studying. Some kids simply try them out for no reason. Sadly the end result in all these cases comes as a serious and sometimes even fatal addiction.

Alarmed by the increasing rate of prescription drug misuse, Punta Gorda authorities have decided to adopt strategies to get the problem in control. The drop the pill campaign that was begun in April 2010 by the authorities has helped them to take 100 pounds of prescription pills off the street. This voluntary program allows users to submit the pills they no longer need and thereby reduce the risk of misuse. The police on the other hand are stepping up their vigilance programs and trying their best to control pharmacy robberies and internet buying of these prescription drugs.

The real solution comes from the rehabs of Punta Gorda. Of the 14,344 people that live here, many are addicted to drugs. These rehabs offer the best possible treatment to those who have fallen prey to drug addiction. Be it illicit drugs like cocaine or heroine or prescription drugs, the drug rehabs of Punta Gorda have treatment plans to offer for it all. Patients can work with an out-house program or choose to stay that the rehab according to his/her needs. There are Christian rehabs, non religious ones, juvenile rehabs, gender based rehabs and many more such categories, which makes it easy for the addicts to choose a rehabs that suits their needs the best.

These drug control strategies and treatment plans have combined to bring down the drug statistics of Punta Gorda. While the fight against drugs is going to be a long drawn one, it looks likely that the city will win against illicit drugs and prescription drug abuse and be able to offer its residents a drug free environment.