A Comprehensive Look at Atlanta, GA Addiction Statistics In 2022 alone, Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, experienced 278 deaths caused by drug overdoses, following the trend of increasing drug overdose deaths each year. This trend can be seen...
A Comprehensive Look at Atlanta, GA Addiction Statistics
In 2022 alone, Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, experienced 278 deaths caused by drug overdoses, following the trend of increasing drug overdose deaths each year. This trend can be seen throughout all of Georgia, with the Georgia Department of Health stating that there were 2,390 drug overdose deaths in the state during 2021, with 70% of them being opioid-related. The addiction statistics in Atlanta, GA, don’t stop there.
Fulton County has shown higher rates of excessive drinking than both state and national rates, as well as higher rates of drug overdoses compared to Georgia as a whole. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia substance abuse hotlines experienced an almost 50% increase in daily calls. According to the CDC, drug overdoses have now been ranked as deadlier than both guns and car crashes.
These worrisome facts highlight the importance of addressing the problem of addiction in all regards, whether nationally, statewide, or in the metro Atlanta area specifically. With a population of 490,270 residents in the actual city of Atlanta and over 6 million people in the surrounding metropolitan area, it’s crucial to address these concerns and provide resources for residents to get the help they need before joining the statistics.
The Current Landscape of Addiction in Atlanta
Drug abuse is a growing problem in Atlanta, with prescription drugs, heroin, and methamphetamine being the most commonly abused substances. Cocaine abuse has decreased over the years, while marijuana abuse remains prevalent. Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the city and often contributes to drug-related deaths.
Cocaine abuse has declined over the years, with only 10.5% seeking help in rehab centers.Heroin abuse is increasing, particularly among young adults, with 63.6% seeking treatment in 2013.
Marijuana is the most widely abused drug in Atlanta, with a decrease in those seeking treatment.
Methamphetamine abuse is increasing, with 6.8% seeking treatment.
Alcohol is the most used drug in Atlanta, comprising nearly half of all those seeking treatment.
Prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone are contributing to the rise in overdose deaths.
Residents in an East Atlanta neighborhood are expressing concern about the escalating crime and drug dealing in their area. They have witnessed a significant change in the community and have experienced house fires, thefts, and assaults.
Calls for drugs and narcotics have doubled compared to 2022, while thefts have increased by 18%. They want their neighborhood to be a safe place to live and raise their families.
Between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased by 106.2% compared to the same period the previous year. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Drug Surveillance Unit has received increased reports of overdoses due to drugs mixed with fentanyl, particularly cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills.
It is essential to know that there is a possibility of opioid overdose from a stimulant (e.g., cocaine) that is laced with fentanyl. If you suspect a drug overdose, call 911 immediately, provide the location of the overdose, and stay with the individual until help arrives. Georgia has a medical amnesty law that protects individuals who may be experiencing an overdose and callers seeking medical attention for drug overdoses.
The Atlanta Summit on Exploding Heroin Abuse and Overdose Deaths in Georgia addresses the exponential growth of heroin trafficking and addiction in the Atlanta region. It brought together medical providers, policymakers, educators, substance abuse treatment providers, and law enforcement officers.
The summit included discussions on the scope of the heroin problem, steps to address the issue, and the impact of heroin abuse on communities. The summit also highlighted the increase in heroin deaths in Georgia over the past five years and the accessibility and affordability of heroin compared to prescription painkillers.
The formation of an Atlanta regional task force to combat heroin trafficking and abuse was announced at the summit. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia established a webpage as a resource for information on heroin abuse.
Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Mental Health: Barriers to Treatment and Recovery
BIPOC individuals tend to be more liable to developing substance abuse disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders because of historical trauma, racial discrimination, and socioeconomic contrasts. The prevalence of racial violence, police brutality, and immigration-related trauma are also contributors.
Racial violence in the form of hate crimes occurs at a higher rate. These are racially motivated violent acts. In 2020, 8,263 hate crime incidents were reported against 11,126 victims. Stop APPI reported a rise in Asian American and Pacific Islanders since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In a national survey, Asian Americans reported a lack of safety and belonging in the U.S.
According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, police brutality is an ongoing national crisis. Black and indigenous individuals are often victims of excessive force, racial profiling, and unwarranted arrests.
Immigration-related trauma is related to experiences of migrating, separation from family and loved ones, being housed in detention centers, and deportation. Some individuals resort to substances as a coping mechanism.
Undocumented immigrants and refugees who attempt to seek asylum experience distressing obstacles navigating the immigration system. More than 80% of immigrants and US-born Latinos fear deportation.
While depression, anxiety, and substance use affect all ethnicities, research suggests that BIPOC individuals experience unique stressors that lead to higher rates of the disorders. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that only 1 in 3 Black adults suffering from depression and anxiety receive access to treatment.
Some of the most considerable disparities between Black adults include the following:
Black adults are less likely to receive consistent care. Black adults are less frequently included in research on co-occurring disorders when it comes to mainstream reporting. Black adults are more likely to use emergency rooms or primary care health professionals instead of entering consistent treatment programs.Below are some of the disparities for Indigenous People:
Indigenous communities are enduring high levels of poverty. This makes seeking addiction treatment out of reach for many. Indigenous people are three times less likely to have health insurance than Whites. The majority rely on the Indian Health Service (IHS), where available. Many Indigenous communities are isolated in rural communities. Most of the medical service IHS provides is on reservations, while most Indigenous no longer live on reservations.
Atlanta’s Hope for the Future
The Drug Surveillance Unit of the Georgia Department of Public Health monitors opioid-involved overdose trends in Georgia and provides data to the public and partners. The unit tracks overdose deaths, issues health alerts, and conducts surveillance through various reports and data systems.
They provide online interactive data tools for analyzing drug overdose fatality data and collaborate with other organizations and programs to address opioid and substance misuse. Contact information for the Drug Surveillance Unit is available for emergencies and inquiries.
The Georgia Department of Public Health is working to combat the opioid epidemic through programs like the Opioid and Substance Misuse Response, Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and Drug Surveillance Unit.
The City of Atlanta and a coalition of county governments in the metro area have filed a lawsuit against more than 30 drug companies and pharmacies for fueling the opioid crisis out of “corporate greed.” The lawsuit alleges that the companies engaged in general negligence, negligent marketing, and public nuisance.
The local governments seek abatement of the nuisance and compensatory, punitive, and other damages. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that in 2021, there were 2,390 drug overdose deaths in Georgia, with over 70% of them being opioid-related.
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is expanding resources to treat substance abuse and addiction in Fulton County. He is delivering a $1.6 million grant to the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health and Disabilities, in partnership with the Atlanta Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative, to launch the Fulton County Diversion and Deflection Recovery Program.
The program aims to respond to substance abuse, promote public safety, and support access to treatment and recovery services. With this federal funding, Fulton County will expand its services, including screening, assessment, specialty outpatient treatment, and individual and group therapy provided through contracts with community-based providers.
These new resources will help those struggling with abuse get treatment instead of ending up in the criminal justice system by expanding the services of the Center for Diversion & Services (the Center) to several new areas.
The Fulton County Diversion and Deflection Recovery Program will provide training and professional development to law enforcement officers to promote diversion to the Center, intensive care navigation for diverted participants, increase access to recovery housing, and conduct deflection outreach to connect individuals with needed services before they become involved with the criminal justice system.
Metro Atlanta has opened an addiction center at Emory University Hospital at Wesley Woods in Atlanta to help those impacted by the opioid epidemic. This center aims to provide resources and support for individuals struggling with substance abuse.
The center offers various services such as counseling, treatment programs, and access to medication-assisted treatment. It serves as a valuable resource for individuals in Georgia seeking help for substance abuse issues during these challenging times.
Resources to Address Addiction
Cares Warm Line
The Cares Warm Line, a substance abuse hotline in Georgia, has seen a significant increase in calls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolation and anxiety caused by the disease and its impact on jobs and loved ones are the main concerns expressed by callers. The rise in cases of addiction and relapse has dramatically risen since the start of the pandemic. Call 844-326-5400.
Naloxone
Naloxone reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and can be obtained from pharmacies in Georgia without a prescription under a standing order from the Commissioner.
Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL)
For access to services and immediate crisis help, the Georgia Crisis & Access Line is available 24/7 at 800-715-4225.
Georgia Substance Abuse Helpline
800-338-6745
NAMI Georgia
770-408-0625
HELPLINE Georgia for Substance Abuse
800-338-6745
Drug Disposal
Proper disposal of prescription drugs is essential to protect against abuse. Drug drop boxes are the most effective and secure method of disposal. Mail-back programs can be used, but only with approved envelopes. Self-disposal should follow specific guidelines to ensure safety. Secure storage of prescription drugs is crucial to prevent misuse.
In Georgia, drug drop boxes are located in Sheriff’s and Police Departments across the state in 153 counties. Most drug drop-off locations operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Start Your Recovery
Individuals needing drug rehab can experience painful and distressing phases. These phases often lead to increased drug use and possible overdose or death. Seeking help from a facility that focuses on substance abuse treatment offers the best chance at regaining control over your life.
Make the first step and call The Summit Wellness Group at 770-299-1677 to begin your treatment at our midtown Atlanta, GA, or Roswell, GA, center.
