Miami’s Cocaine Resurgence
Miami is no stranger to drug use. Cocaine was popularized in the city in the 1980s, 90 percent of it arriving by way of Columbia. Cocaine is one of the most widely abused substances in Florida. Florida lost 2,882 people to cocaine use in 2016, and much of that fatal supply contained traces of other drugs.
In the same year, 439 cocaine-related deaths occurred in the city of Miami alone. Some drug dealers combine cocaine with the highly dangerous opioid fentanyl, without the knowledge of their customers, leading to an increase in fentanyl overdoses. Miami remains one of the primary points through which cocaine traffickers bring the drug into the United States.
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Miami Opioid Crisis
Miami, like much of the nation, faces opioid addiction, fatal-drug overdoses, and increases in drug abuse rates. Roughly 62,497 American lives were lost to drugs in 2016, and many state and law officials are declaring the war of drugs a public health emergency. However, in Florida, cocaine-related overdoses outnumbered those caused by any other type of drug.
Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties (the three major counties in the Miami area) have experienced the highest rates of cocaine overdoses. Palm Beach experienced 25 deaths per 100,000 people, Broward and Dade counties experienced 15 to 20 cocaine-related deaths per 100,000 people. Heroin use is on the rise in Miami as well, and based on trends in heroin-related deaths, it is estimated many more people will die.
In 2015, Miami drug-related overdoses made up 43 percent of all Dade county overdoses. Out of 140 suspected 2016 drug-related overdoses, 107 are believed to involve carfentanil—a deadly fentanyl-related chemical. Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than Fentanyl and is available in powder, blotted paper, tablets, and spray. Out of those 107 cases, 59 overdoses were in Miami.
In Overtown, a Miami neighborhood, police often see heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and carfentanil users overdose on the streets. People have access to cheap, but potent, drugs, which draw in locals and people from other states. This neighborhood and the surrounding areas have witnessed the most drug-related deaths in Miami. Police rush to bring them back to life, hoping to save them.
The city of Miami continues to struggle with cocaine overdoses and the onset of new drugs killing off many of its residents. Authorities passed bills to limit prescriptions to a three-day supply to make oxycodone tamper-resistant. Some aim to increase the number of drug-related arrests to reduce substance use.
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Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Miami
Despite the high rates of drug and alcohol addiction in Miami, substance abuse does not have to be a life sentence. Taking the first step toward freedom may be one of the most empowering life decisions toward transformation. Treatment providers are available to connect people with substance abuse disorders to rehab facilities.
Patients will be supervised by staff members as they rid their body of drugs or alcohol as they are surrounded by like-minded people in recovery. Patients are provided health and wellness opportunities for recovery. Family members are allowed to be part of the recovery process at many facilities. Choosing a rehab facility should be a personal, but well-thought-out process. Therapies can vary from facility to facility, combining cutting-edge medicines with gentle healing power. Some therapies include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Meditation
- Biofeedback
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Fitness therapy
- 12-Step groups
Addiction does not have to hold you back from progressing in life. Contact a provider to discover available options today.
