Drug Abuse Trends in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas, is a 248 square-mile city located on the Rio Grande river across from Ciudad Juarez, the most populated city in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The city itself is home to 683,577 residents, and there are over 2.7 million people in the El Paso-Juarez-Las Cruces metro area. Spanish for “The Pass,” El Paso is considered both a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and transshipment hub for illicit substances – primarily methamphetamine and heroin. Accordingly, there was a 103% increase in meth seizures at the Texas-Mexico border between 2014 and 2016. However, as gruesome as the Mexican drug cartel violence remains across the border, El Paso has consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in America.
“Virtually all controlled substances are readily available” in the area. Opioid abuse and death in El Paso have yet to match national levels; 54 overdose deaths were opioid-related in 2016. Heroin abuse rates have risen during what is commonly known as the “Third Wave” of the opioid epidemic, yet methamphetamine abuse is much more common in the rural, mountainous area. Today, clandestine meth labs have been replaced by imported, purer forms of meth, including the smokable Mexican “Ice” or “Glass.” Additionally, alcohol and marijuana are common substances of abuse.
El Paso Addiction Statistics
44
thousand
44,000 pounds of marijuana were seized by El Paso Border Patrol in 2014.
366
cases
In 2014, 366 poison control cases in Texas involved meth, with an average victim age of 29.
500
percent
Methamphetamine treatment rates increased by 500% between 1995 and 2014.
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Addiction Treatment in El Paso
Among El Paso adults, alcoholism remains a primary reason for seeking addiction treatment, though opioid dependence continues to grow. Marijuana and alcohol are common addiction treatments among youth.
There are a number of drug and alcohol rehab options in the El Paso area – with government-funded, private, and faith-based facilities available. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are among the support groups that regularly meet in the area to help residents maintain their sobriety.
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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.
Traveling from El Paso for Rehab
While considering the cost of rehab, it’s important to consider an individual’s surroundings and comfortability when selecting addiction treatment. To remove themselves from local triggers, some may choose to travel outside of El Paso for drug rehab. Detox and inpatient rehab at an out-of-area facility can help an individual focus on their recovery without worrying about hometown stressors. Also, there may be more options for therapy types and amenities.
If you’re ready to talk about your rehab options, speak with a dedicated treatment provider today.
