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As the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents and one of the 13 colonies in the American Revolution, Virginia is the well-spring to our nation. There are several wonderful things about this beautiful state, including universities, culture and history. Virginia Tech is respected for its scholars and stellar football team, which has the third longest bowl game streak in the nation. Several Virginian communities are haunted by the problems associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Palm Partners has helped thousands overcome their chemical dependency through our trusted and effective programs. If you are ready to end your addiction, contact Palm Partners today. Our professionals are standing by. We’re ready and able to help.
Data shows that those 18-25 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – alcohol detox and rehab in Virginia. If you’re using and abusing, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 804-993-2632 . Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.
What you should know
Virginia cities along Interstate 95 are vulnerable to “spillover” drug distribution from traffickers moving between the two major eastern drug importation hubs of New York City and Miami. Mexican trafficking organizations distribute cocaine, meth and marijuana in nearly every part of Virginia.
Compared to other states
- Illicit drugs overall – low for those 18 and older
- Alcohol – moderately high for those 18 and older
- Pharmaceuticals – average for those 26 and older, moderately low for those 18-25
- Cocaine – average for those 18-25, moderately low for those 26 and older
- Marijuana – moderately low for those 18 and older
Source: SAMHSA’s most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, based on 2008-2009 annual averages. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A closer look
Alcohol
A significant problem.
Pharmaceuticals
OxyContin, Percocet, hydromorphone, methadone and benzodiazepines the most abused. Sources are the illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping,” employee theft and the internet.
Marijuana
Most widely abused drug. Marijuana is imported from Mexico via the Southwest and also from Canada. Outdoor cultivation flourishes, and indoor grows are increasing.
Cocaine
Widely abused and available. Colombian and Dominican drug organizations in New York City supply much of the cocaine. But local traffickers are increasingly reliant on Mexican sources in the Southwest, North Carolina and Georgia. Crack plagues inner cities, particularly in Richmond, Roanoke and the Tidewater area.
Methamphetamine
Drug of choice in Shenandoah Valley. The presence of a huge influx of Mexican immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley has encouraged expansion of existing Mexican drug trafficking networks. The user population in that part of the state is largely white, rural and less educated. By contrast, the user population in the Richmond area is white, college aged and involved in the rave scene. These young people are using both ice and meth. Local labs have decreased in number, with most lab activity centered in the far southwestern corner of the state.
Heroin
Most persistent in Richmond and Tidewater areas. Portsmouth is a source area for the Tidewater region. Heroin is less prevalent in other areas, particularly rural counties.
Club drugs
MDMA (Ecstasy) most in demand and available. GHB and ketamine are also readily available but, unlike MDMA, remain in the night club/rave scene. Sporadically available are piperazines, psilocybin mushrooms, LSD and PCP.
Percentage of Virginia population using/abusing drugs
| AGE1 | 18+ |
|---|---|
| ILLICIT DRUGS | |
| Past Month Illicit Drug Use2 | 7.97 |
| Past Year Marijuana Use | 9.78 |
| Past Month Marijuana Use | 6.45 |
| Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana2 | 3.51 |
| Past Year Cocaine Use | 2.75 |
| Past Year Nonmedical Pain Reliever Use | 4.85 |
| Perception of Great Risk of Smoking Marijuana Once a Month3 | 37.28 |
| ALCOHOL | |
| Past Month Alcohol Use | 56.92 |
| Past Month Binge Alcohol Use4 | 24.03 |
| Perception of Great Risk of Drinking Five or More Drinks Once or Twice a Week3 | 44.30 |
| PAST YEAR DEPENDENCE, ABUSE AND TREATMENT5 | |
| Illicit Drug Dependence2 | 1.91 |
| Illicit Drug Dependence or Abuse2 | 2.56 |
| Alcohol Dependence | 3.29 |
| Alcohol Dependence or Abuse | 7.59 |
| Alcohol or Illicit Drug Dependence or Abuse2 | 9.00 |
| Needing But Not Receiving Treatment for Illicit Drug Use2,6 | 2.33 |
| Needing But Not Receiving Treatment for Alcohol Use6 | 7.40 |
| Serious psychological distress | 10.93 |
| Having at least one major depressive episode7 | 7.73 |
1 Age group is based on a respondent’s age at the time of the interview, not his or her age at first use.
2 Illicit Drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically. Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana include cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically.
3 When the Perception of Great Risk in using marijuana or alcohol is low, use of marijuana or alcohol is high.
4 Binge Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion (i.e., at the same time or within a couple of hours of each other) on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.
5 Dependence or abuse is based on definitions found in the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).
6 Needing But Not Receiving Treatment refers to respondents needing treatment for illicit drugs or alcohol, but not receiving treatment at a specialty facility.
7 Major Depressive Episode is a period of at least 2 weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had a majority of the symptoms for depression as described in the DSM-IV.
Source: Condensed version of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004 and 2005, from SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies.