Addiction In Baton Rouge
Similar to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Louisiana faces a growing heroin crisis. While other cities combat prescription opioid use across the country, Baton Rouge is facing a higher concentration of heroin deaths than most other cities. Each year, the number of deaths grow.
Heroin And Opioids In Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, is faced with a heroin crisis that is among the worst in the nation. While so many cities have been battling this crisis to lower the number of people dying by overdose, the Red Stick has not had much luck.
Despite the number saved, 624 patients were administered 821 doses of naloxone, a opioid antagonist that is used to stop overdoses, 111 died as a result of an overdose in 2017. This was a 25% increase over the previous year, the greatest number of deaths yet. Over 40% were a direct result of heroin. The coroner of East Baton Rouge Parish, William Clark, did not break down how many more of those death involved other opioids, like popular prescriptions of fentanyl or oxycodone, but did state that opioids made up the majority.
111
deaths
In 2017, 111 people died from accidental overdoses. A record high for Baton Rouge.
28
deaths
An upward trend of overdose deaths started at 28 in 2012 and has increased almost every year since.
Homicide In Baton Rouge
While the connection is rarely made, a community’s number of homicides often connects to the rate of drug use. People who experience loss of a loved one, especially through homicide, are more likely to turn to drugs as a relief. This is especially true in the case of children.
East Baton Rouge Parish saw a record high of homicides in 2017, at 124 deaths. After a dip the previous year of 84, homicides shot up again, a 48% jump. While these homicides regularly beat out deaths from overdose, the gap is steadily closing. However, it is likely that the two are connected in a vicious cycle. The death rate in Baton Rouge has now surpassed Chicago, one of the most violent cities in America.
Death By Synthetic Marijuana In Baton Rouge
Many think that the dangerous effects of drugs can only hurt themselves. However, the truth is that the dangers of illicit drugs can affect anyone. In 2018, a man who had taken synthetic marijuana assaulted and killed a woman living in his apartment complex.
Across the country, people are using synthetic marijuana, a designer drug, to get high “legally.” Many think because it is legal, it must be safe. However, many people are dying from overdose, being rushed to hospitals, and even killing others after smoking this legal substance. With the craze that is sweeping much of the Midwest, it may be a matter of time until it becomes a larger issue across the nation. Taking a stance now can help prevent the next epidemic.
Break free from addiction.
You have options. Talk about them with a treatment provider today.
Treatment In Baton Rouge
When coming to terms with addiction, finding treatment is the first step. Recovering in a small community can be a huge benefit. Outpatient programs can help maintain a sense of normalcy in life while recovering. Being surrounded by familiar faces in a supportive community has proved beneficial to many trying to get over their addiction. However, those same things that help some could be a detriment to others.
For some, staying in the setting where the addiction was born is too much temptation. Knowing where they can go to get a fix when they’re in withdrawal or constantly being berated by old connections from their former life can stop them from moving on to a better one. If you or a loved one are battling addiction, there is hope. For more information on treatment options, contact a treatment provider today.
