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Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Information in Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota

Overview of Drug and Alcohol Trafficking and Abuse in Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota

Along with the rest of the United States, Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota has been plagued by the increasing number of drug and alcohol abuse in for the last 20 years. Substance abuse has also been linked to an increase in civil disturbances and crimes in various areas across the state. But due to the ongoing efforts by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the local state law enforcement, there has been a statistical decrease of drug use in the state. The increased tenacity in pushing drug education to school youth has drastically hampered peer pressure of abusing illegal substances due to ignorance.

Still, drug trafficking is posing an increased threat in the welfare of the state. Because of the cunning of drug cartels and organized crime, syndicates have constantly found ways to bypass the DEA's efforts to prevent the smuggling of illegal substance in and through Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota. The natural geography along with the well-developed transportation infrastructure of the state has been adapted to the movement of illegal substances.

Drug and Alcohol Trafficking Information in Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota

Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota has for the past two decades seen an increase in substance abuse and drug trafficking albeit the recent statistical trending. A number of illegal drugs has been eventfully available across the state. The past 20 years have seen a trending of youth generation of substance users. These unfortunately comprise of college students and high school drop-outs. This, according to experts, is caused by the deteriorating social coping skills created by the influx of technology and information that inadvertently raises the standards of today's generation.

Trending suggested an increasing number of marijuana advocates in the state. Rural areas, which cover most of the South Dakota geography, has been found to be infiltrated with marijuana plantations grown by local advocates of the narcotic substance. Methamphetamine, often being sold in campuses and youth gatherings, has experienced an upsurge due to its growing number of customers. An increasing drug risk among social gatherings in the state is the use of club drugs. These club drugs introduce artificial euphoria and are widely used in clubs, rave parties, and concerts.

Mexican drug cartels control the bulk of drug trafficking and distribution activities in the state. They usually ship the illegal parcel via the use inconspicuous vehicles like campers, trailers, cargo trucks, and the like that have been modified to conceal the parcel until it reaches its destination. There also have been reports of these illegal cargo being transported via speedboats along the Missouri River, which cuts centrally across the South Dakota geography.

The Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota authorities have been aggressive in the prevention and control of the use of alcohol and narcotic substances. To date, there are a total of 17 laws passed statewide and ordinances by county that reinforces the government's stand on the matter.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Information in Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota

It has been found out that the inability to utilize coping mechanisms under stress conditions is the primary cause of drug and alcohol abuse. The constant stresses of work and financial issues, social interactions, family and life issues push these individuals to find quick fixes. These people usually resort to abusing alcohol and illegal substances because of their nature of upsetting the physiological and psychological response of the body to stress. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported an increase in the prevalence of alcohol binging and abuse from 2003 to 2005. Illicit drug abuse incidence had a significant drop for the same period with the exception of marijuana use.

Marijuana

Marijuana abuse currently has the highest prevalence in the NSDUH survey conducted in 2005. It is the drug of choice within campuses because of its “chill effect.” The chill effect is an artificial state wherein the person feels calm and carefree, cognitive ability is diminished and body movement is slowed down. Mexican drug cartels bring in marijuana to the state in large quantities and is sold primarily in campus and metropolitan areas of the state. There are reports of locally produced marijuana – usually grown in the rural areas of the state - being shipped to neighboring states of Colorado and Illinois because of its high potency.

Cocaine

Cocaine is primarily smuggled in states in the southwestern United States and is widely distributed in all the regions of South Dakota. Prevalent use of cocaine is evident in the metropolitan area although the increasing trend have stabilized in recent years. Powdered cocaine is more often converted to crack cocaine and is distributed in retail level and used by street gangs, crime rings, and fraternity groups. The use of cocaine is usually associated with violence and crime in the state.

Methamphetamine

Meth, as it is commonly known, has an increasing trend in its traffic and manufacture across the state in the last couple of years. The ease of access to its raw materials made it readily available to manufacture in clandestine meth laboratories and sell in the streets. The majority of meth products are transported into the state by migrant Hispanic workers in large quantities. It is then repacked for easy distribution and sold to individual buyers. Laws limiting the amount of raw materials that can be sold to an individual have all but deterred the production of the drug locally.

Heroin

No one is certain as to the steady decline of heroin addiction and traffic throughout the years, but it is still a welcome progress in the fight against illegal drugs. Most rural areas of South Dakota have enjoyed being heroin-free. Unfortunately, the inner city slums still has reported distribution of the drug in small amounts. These are usually linked to Latino street gangs that have familial ties in Mexico.

Club Drugs

Ecstasy, GHB, LSD, and Ketamine are some of the drugs that are classified under club drugs. These drugs most often are prescription drugs that have been discontinued due to their adverse effects on the nervous system. The term was derived from the common occurrence of distribution and use of these drugs in night clubs and rave parties that usually involve college and university students. Club drugs are frequently shipped and stocked in university frat houses and college organizational groups. The majority of supply of club drugs are brought in from New York, Texas, California, and Canada by Asian drug rings via postal service.

Pharmaceutical Dependence and Diversion

Pharmaceutical drugs that are primarily used for treatment of disorders have recently been found to be abused in its use. Chronic dependence of painkillers gave rise to an abuse called pharmaceutical diversion. Pharmaceutical diversion is the use of prescription narcotics with an intent other than treatment of pain. The most common narcotics abused in the country include OxyContin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone, Valium, and Xanax.

The increase in the number of pain clinics in the state have given rise to the abuse of these drugs because it readily provides prescription to whoever complains of pains. These people usually obtain these prescriptions from pain clinics then forges the prescription for future purchases. The drugs are primarily purchased without prescription through the Internet via scrupulous drug agencies from Mexico and cities along the southwestern border.

Types of Drug Rehab and Alcoholism Treatment Programs in Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota

In 2005, South Dakota is reported to have established 52 drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. Out of these, 39 facilities are privately owned, nine of which are for-profit agencies. There are 14 government-owned facilities and four tribal government-owned agencies. Thirty-six of these agencies specialize on addiction treatment services, crisis interventions, drug detoxification and rehab programs. Two of these facilities focus on mental health services and the rest handle dual diagnosis treatment, rehabilitation programs, and treatment continuity. Most drug rehab centers are concentrated to the urban areas while others are scattered throughout the state.