Drug Abuse Trends in Glendale, CA
In the southeastern portion of the San Fernando Valley, Glendale, California, is one of many suburbs of the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metro area. With an estimated population of 200,167 people, it is the third-largest city in Los Angeles County. While California is famous for legalizing marijuana use, it still suffers from high rates of substance abuse. And, due to a continually booming population, accessing medical care for an addiction can be challenging. In 2015, approximately 1 in 4 LA County residents reported difficulty accessing medical care.
According to the most recent coroner’s report, the substances that most often contribute to county deaths are:
Poly-drug Abuse in Glendale
In most other parts of the country, the opioid epidemic is the primary public health concern. However, in California, most overdose deaths include two or more substances. Cocaine and meth are two of the most commonly co-abused substances in LA County. According to coroner’s reports, meth was present in twice as many cases as heroin and fentanyl combined. Furthermore, meth and cocaine are two of the most common substances involved in accidental deaths (after alcohol).
Additionally, prescription opioids are commonly abused with alcohol, resulting in death when a person’s breathing is reduced to the point of stopping altogether. Fentanyl, predominantly found along the eastern half of the U.S., was responsible for a number of overdoses in Glendale. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more powerful than heroin, can be lethal within 2 milligrams. To combat a similar rise in fentanyl deaths on the west coast, California started to provide fentanyl test strips at some of the state’s needle exchange programs.
Substance Abuse Statistics for Glendale
739
meth-related cases
In LA County, 739 coroner’s cases involved meth, compared to 276 with heroin and 35 with fentanyl.
775
opioid overdose hospitalizations
In 2015, LA County emergency departments treated 775 opioid overdoses.
2,282
drug deaths
Between 2013 and 2015, 2,282 people died of drug overdose in Los Angeles County.
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Addiction Treatment in Glendale
In 2016, California had the second-most drug overdose deaths in the nation (4,654). Those who fell victim to overdose lost an average of 31 years of life prematurely. The continued efforts of the state’s health department work to reduce and eventually halt these deaths and the addictions that cause them.
The county’s Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) has expanded state-funded services in recent years to include:
- Withdrawal management
- Short-term residential treatment
- Case management
- Recovery support services
Also, addiction treatment is available to Glendale residents at numerous privately-funded rehab centers in the metro area. LA is home to some of the world’s most renowned addiction treatment facilities.
Get Help During COVID-19
With just 30 days at a rehab center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings.
Begin Recovery Today
If you, or a loved one, are ready to take the first step in recovery, the time to take action is now. Starting with detox, followed by addiction therapy and support groups, a healthier life of sobriety is within reach. Speak with a treatment provider now for more information about treatment options.
