In 1999, Baltimore Maryland’s Health Commissioner declared drug addiction was the “biggest problem in the city.” It was in that year which overdose deaths exceeded the homicide rate.
Now, more than a decade later, Baltimore’s mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake once again declared drugs and addiction were the biggest problems facing Baltimore City. While drug abuse experts say Baltimore has taken great strides in dealing with the problem, the issue still remains.
A review of Baltimore’s response to their drug problem makes it painfully obvious why doubled funding did not equate to any great reduction in drug abuse in the city. The city funnels money into drug replacement therapies, such as methadone clinics and suboxone clinics, which results in addicts still hooked on drugs but now perhaps more complacent and less likely to overdose or commit violent crimes in order to get their fix.
When asked about the city’s drug problem, Baltimore’s experts can only cite reductions in overdoses and violent crime. Baltimore has inadvertently, in trying to lessen the drug problem, become a major drug supplier to its addicts through these clinics.
Meanwhile, Baltimore’s citizenry continues to suffer with the economic, emotional, and health impact of addiction.
The real answer to addiction is therapy which results finally in the person no longer depending on any sort of substance. That is the only state in which you could consider someone to be fully rehabilitated. Until Baltimore and the state of Maryland invest in rehabilitation programs who actually have rehabilitation as their stated goal, rather than drug replacement, addiction will continue to be an epidemic in the city.
If you or someone you love needs to get off drugs for good, our Baltimore, Maryland drug rehab resources can help.
The Riverbend Retreat inpatient drug rehab program has been helping Baltimore residents overcome addiction for years. If you don’t believe another drug can help with addiction, call us now for a real solution. Our toll-free phone number is 1-877-340-3602.
We provide only tried and true drug abuse solutions.
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