Year | Heroin-related deaths | Heroin-related Arrests |
---|---|---|
2013 | 15 | 56 |
2014 | 17 | 77 |
2015 | 45 | 117 |
Source: News4Jax.com
Source: Jacksonville Sheriff’s Offfice
Williams attributed the rise in heroin consumption to the closure of several pill mills in the Jacksonville area. “We want to make everyone aware, with the closure of the pill mills, you usually have a group of people, a population addicted to opiate-based drugs,” he said. When the supply of drugs from pill mills is cut off, people addicted to prescription drugs often turn to heroin because of its cheap cost and availability. In September 2015, the Florida Medical Examiners Commission released a report detailing 2014 drug trends in Florida. That year, prescription drugs were responsible for the majority of drug-related deaths in Jacksonville’s medical examiner district, which includes Duval, Clay and Nassau counties.Source: Florida Medical Examiner Commission’s 2014 Annual Report
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, street gangs distribute drugs such as cocaine and marijuana in Jacksonville. Because of the city’s ideal location and numerous transport options, Jacksonville has proven to be central to drug trafficking on the East coast.Substance | Percent of Students Who Tried the Drug at Least Once |
---|---|
Inhalants | 12.7 |
Synthetic Marijuana | 9.9 |
Cocaine | 8.5 |
Ecstasy | 8.4 |
Methamphetamine | 7.5 |
Heroin | 6.3 |
Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
Marijuana is the second most popular substance in Duval County high schools, and 11.5 percent of students admitted to consuming the drug before the age of 13. According to the CDC survey, 29 percent of high school students in Duval County acquired illegal drugs on school property. “It was incredibly easy. You would just have to ask someone in the hallways or send them a text. Or a lot of the times someone’s older sibling or someone’s older boyfriend or girlfriend would be able to get it for you,” Elizabeth, a recovering drug addict, told News4Jax.com.The local government and residents of Jacksonville are conscious of the growing drug-related problems in the area. They are working to halt substance abuse by collaborating with numerous agencies to create awareness, prevention and treatment solutions.
Our recovery programs are based on decades of research to deliver treatment that really works.
Get Help NowGet cost-effective, quality addiction care that truly works.
Start Your Recovery