ADAC shares stats ahead of National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week
• Alcohol & Drug Awareness Council

• Mar 14, 2024 
Shared and reprinted from: https://lufkindailynews.com/news/community/adac-shares-stats-ahead-of-national-drug-alcohol-facts-week/article_53b70f11-562b-510b-86c0-4a82b17a54fb.html

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics are both emphasizing the increasing trends in the abuse of alcohol and drugs across the country.
In anticipation of recognition of the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, which is March 18-24, it’s imperative to spotlight the growing concerns surrounding alcohol and drug use and the critical need for increased public awareness and education. In recent years, the landscape of alcohol and drug use and its identifiable dangers have evolved significantly, highlighting the importance of robust public education and prevention strategies.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics are both emphasizing the increasing trends in the abuse of alcohol and drugs across the country. For example, there’s been an increase in positive drug screenings for marijuana, methamphetamine and fentanyl. This is creating a problem for employers who are already struggling to hire from a rapidly depleting workforce.
According to the University of Texas Addiction Research Institute, meth is still the most used illicit drug in Texas. The use of heroin is also on the rise, which is raising the risk of overdose because the use of fentanyl is increasingly being “cut” into heroin and meth. Currently, according to the Centers for Disease Control, drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of death among adults 18 to 45, due in large part to fentanyl. The Drug Enforcement Agency is reporting that eight out 10 medications accessed via social media are counterfeit and six out of 10 of those medication contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. The danger is real and the need to raise awareness is greater than ever.

For Deep East Texas, statistics from the 2022 Texas School Survey reveal that while alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use has declined among East Texas students, the number of students using these substances is still above the state average. These statistics underscore the need to continue targeted intervention strategies and community-wide education initiatives to combat the rising tide of substance abuse within our region.
The awareness is increasing. Three years after decriminalizing illicit drugs, the state of Oregon has reversed legislation and is reinstating criminal penalties for the use and possession of drugs. According to the Oregon Drug Policy Alliance, they have experienced a dramatic increase in overdose deaths because the market was flooded by illegally manufactured drugs to an increasing drug-dependent market.
Addressing the challenges of substance use and dependency will require a concerted effort from organizations, governments and community leaders to raise awareness and community members to hold them accountable. By sharing facts surrounding alcohol and drug use, it’s possible to better target efforts to prevent and treat alcohol and drug use and tackle the local challenges effectively.
It begins with you. If you are struggling with alcohol or drugs, you don’t have to struggle with it alone. There is help available for you or someone you care about.

To begin on the road to recovery, contact the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Council by calling (936) 634-5753 or 1-844-772-3783 (toll-free).