South Dakota Drug Rehab & Alcohol Rehab

The current drug problem in South Dakota

Over the past decade, the state of South Dakota has developed a significant drug problem with a number of different substances but especially with methamphetamine. The drug is now impacting the rural areas as well as the major urban areas in the state. The demand for meth and its use have both increased significantly since 2005. However, this does not preclude the fact that there are significant issues involved where cocaine, heroin, and marijuana are concerned as well.

Despite the fact that South Dakota does not have a significant transportation infrastructure, I-29 along the eastern border and I-90 across the southern part of the state makes it a major transshipment area of the northern US. There are several US and state highways that contribute to this. Additionally, there is a growing problem with several substances being readily available in Native American lands within the state as well. The bottom line is that substance abuse, addiction, and dependency in South Dakota is a significant problem.

Facts and statistics regarding the drug problem in South Dakota

The following facts and statistics reflect information that has been gathered from the many South Dakota drug rehab centers throughout the state based on the recorded admissions of the clients that have enrolled in their addiction treatment and recovery programs:

• slightly over 73% of all the alcoholics in South Dakota are male while nearly 76% of the individuals who are addicted to alcohol and a primary drug are males
• 30.5% of all alcoholics are between the ages of 18 and 25, while 32.5% of all substance users in that same age bracket drink alcohol and use a primary drug with their beverage of choice
• 65% of all cocaine users smoke it in crack form and are between the ages of 31 and 40 while 43.5% of the cocaine users that ingest cocaine in other means (e.g. injection and snorting) are in the same age bracket
• 66.5% of all heroin users are between the ages of 36 and 45
• 60% of all marijuana users are between the ages of 12 and 20
• 43% of all meth users are between the ages of 21 and 30
• drug arrests in the state of South Dakota gradually peaked in 2004 and have remained relatively close to that figure ever since then
• the number of meth lab seizures peaked in 2003, and has exhibited an up and down format since that part in time

The drug problem in South Dakota has become so serious that it is now a major concern of healthcare officials and the medical community who feel that drug abuse, addiction, and dependency is now viewed as a serious public health threat as well as a legal one.

The five primary drug threats in South Dakota

The following is a breakdown of the five primary drug threats in South Dakota today which are the major focus of the DEA and state law enforcement agencies. These drugs are also a serious public health threat which is based on the increasing number of admissions into South Dakota drug rehab centers:

• Club drugs – although the amount of rave parties where club drugs or date rape drugs are prevalent remains very consistent in western South Dakota, quantities of drugs such as Ecstasy and GHB that are available are limited but is growing in eastern areas of the state.
• Cocaine – most areas of South Dakota show a considerable amount of cocaine availability. However, crack cocaine is growing in popularity in the eastern part of the state. The western sections of South Dakota is still showing evidence of only limited availability and use despite the fact that cocaine in powder form is growing in popularity.
  Heroin – the DEA and state law enforcement agencies do not consider heroin as a primary drug threat in South Dakota although it is available in personal sized retail quantities. However, it is still a concern of the DEA and other law enforcement officials as wealth as the medical community.
• Marijuana – one of the drugs that is widely available throughout the state is marijuana. It is growing in popularity among the 12 to 20 age bracket as well with a number of school age children trying the drug for the first time. Additionally, the majority of the larger quantities of marijuana that makes it out onto the streets for sale as well as that which is transported into and distributed throughout the state is coming from the US southwest.
• Methamphetamine – ever increasing in availability and popularity throughout the state, meth is becoming a serious drug threat in South Dakota. Smaller meth labs have been popping up everywhere over the past several years but the quantities that they produce are considerably smaller than some of the more clandestine labs in other states. Quantities that are produced are usually one ounce or smaller.

Another growing concern is the amount of prescription drug oriented admissions into South Dakota drug rehab centers, especially in the teenage crowd who are experimenting with drugs they steal from their parent’s medicine cabinets at home. This should be a warning to adults everywhere who take prescription medications to keep them in a safe place where their children cannot get to them easily.

Getting the professional help you need

In the US today, there are approximately 25 million individuals who are suffering with drug abuse, addiction, and dependency. Around 40% of them should be seeking immediate help for their problems with drugs. Unfortunately, only 10% of that 25 million individuals will actually get the professional help they need by entering one of the many South Dakota drug rehab centers throughout the country.

The DrugRehab.org referral service lists some of the most effective South Dakota drug rehab programs that are currently available throughout the state. We can easily find a facility and program located near you so that you get the professional help that you need. If you would like more information regarding our service and the programs we list, please contact us at the toll-free phone number listed above.