Edmond, Oklahoma has a population of  68,315 with an average household size of 2.63¹ and is located in Oklahoma County in the center of the state.

Edmond is located at the highest point along the Santa Fe rail line and was originally named, "Summit." Oklahoma's first schoolhouse was located in Edmond and still stands as a historical monument.

Edmond offers dozens of parks, golf courses and lakes for recreational activities. The City also has museums, art galleries and venues for the performing arts.

The City also is known as the first post office massacre when in 1986 an ex-postal worker killed fourteen and wounded six. A monument to the memory of those who lost their lives stands outside Post Office in downtown Edmond.

According to www.CityRating.com, Edmond tends to rate lower than the National Average in most crime rates; however, Edmond continues to have an ongoing drug problem.

Edmond Oklahoma's Drug Source
The DEA (The US Drug Enforcement Administration)² reports that marijuana is readily available in all areas of Oklahoma. Marijuana is the main illegal drug of abuse in the state. Marijuana imported from Mexico is prevalent and is usually imported in combination with other illegal drugs being transported to Oklahoma and other states north and east. Domestically produced marijuana is also available in Oklahoma, though not as readily in recent years.

Methamphetamine from Mexico continues to be the primary drug of choice (other than marijuana) in Oklahoma, particularly the solid form (crystal) of methamphetamine has become more prevalent. Caucasian males and females are equally the primary users. Most of the methamphetamine in the state is brought in by Hispanic organizations via motor vehicles, commercial airlines, and mail delivery services. An increase in the amount of crystal methamphetamine has been seen over the past two years.

The number of local small “mom and pop” laboratories has declined significantly over the last two years. This decline is due primarily to the passage of Pseudoephedrine Control Laws in mid-2004. Since these laws were passed, the number of labs seized has decreased by approximately 90% in the State of Oklahoma. Over 90% of the labs seized since 2004 are non-operational: either a dumpsite or glassware only.

Cocaine continues to be readily available throughout Oklahoma. The cocaine is transported from Texas and Mexico via commercial airlines and motor vehicles.

Black Tar heroin is available in extremely limited quantities near the metropolitan areas in Oklahoma. It is rare to encounter brown or white heroin. Colombian heroin hasn’t been seen in the state for several years. Demand for heroin has declined in recent years. The majority of heroin traffickers in Oklahoma receive their heroin from Mexico. Most of the heroin transported into Oklahoma is concealed in hidden compartments in passenger vehicles.

The state of Oklahoma is seeing an increase in the abuse of club drugs, such as MDMA (Ecstasy) and GHB. MDMA is found at rave parties in eastern and central Oklahoma. The majority of the MDMA seen in Oklahoma comes from the West Coast, Nevada, and Texas. A small number of seizures have involved MDMA originating in Canada.

Current investigations indicate that diversion of hydrocodone products continues to be the most common drug of abuse/diversion. As indicated above, the primary methods of diversion are indiscriminate prescribing (Physicians issuing prescriptions for controlled substances without a legitimate medical need), pharmacists diverting controlled substances from pharmacies, “doctor shopping” (going to multiple physicians to obtain prescriptions for a controlled pharmaceutical), forged /falsified prescriptions, and thefts. Methadone has recently been identified as a growing abuse problem in Oklahoma .

The Dwindling Spiral Will Continue
One thing is for certain, for a drug addict, the dwindling spiral will continue on its downward path unless action is taken. NOW is the time to do something before the addicted person winds up in jail or dead of an overdose or accident. Unfortunately past failed attempts to overcome addiction only further depress the individual so it comes as no surprise that fear and hesitation. 
In the city of Edmond, there is an increased need for effective drug and alcohol rehab and addiction treatment centers as drug and alcohol use continues to escalate. Drug use erodes the quality of life not only for the user, but for their families and communities. Marriages and families are torn apart by mistrust, betrayal, fear and anger. Careers are ruined; companies lose millions of dollars in lost production time; cities and suburbs become degraded by the increased crime and violence that goes with drug trafficking and drug addiction. To do nothing for the addict, should not be an option. Something can be done; help is available.

The Damage to Society
In the State of Oklahoma, and specifically in the city of Edmond, the effects of drug and alcohol abuse goes way past the the damage done to the addicts themselves. In terms of time lost on the job, to the health system inundated by illness and overdoses to communities harmed by the crime rate caused by addicts looking to steal anything in order to get their next fix, to families living a nightmare as they watch helplessly as their loved one goes further down the chutes. The rollercoaster of emotions, concern and anger seems like a never ending  ride the abuser puts his friends and family through. Failures in the past with drug rehab centers further numb the addict to any hope of a future without drugs. It truly can appear hopeless.

Edmond and Area Drug-Related News Stories
»Stratford man pleads guilty in Edmond pharmacy burglary
»Relatives of man found dead sought
»Accused of giving children drugs, Edmond man gets court date
»Edmond jurors listen to insider's testimony; dealer tells of quickly selling $200 in crack
»Traffic stop yeilds meth arrest

Treatment Center Changes Needed
Just in the state of Oklahoma, there are many different types of drug rehab and treatment facilities. In the United States, there are thousands of drug rehab and treatment centers. Of course the common goal of all addiction treatment programs is to help end addiction for the individual. In Oklahoma and across the United States, a variety of techniques and methods are being used. Some of the well known treatment methods in Oklahoma include the twelve step method, relapse prevention, one-on-one counseling, drug rehabilitation, behavioral modification, cognitive therapy, support groups, sober living, therapeutic communities, AA , NA, inpatient, and outpatient drug rehab programs. There are many types of treatment centers available in Oklahoma, so making a decision can be difficult. Unfortunately, many uninformed people in Oklahoma go from rehab to rehab looking for the one that is right for them.
In Oklahoma, there are many attempts being made to meet the needs of drug addicts, but statistics show success rates to be dismally low. What is needed and wanted is a drug treatment which not only handles physical addiction, but finds the underlying reasons why a person turns to drugs in order to free the person forever. What Oklahoma addicts, alcoholics and their family, friends and loved ones need is a real and effective drug rehab treatment center. One where they are not on a time schedule or use other drugs to get the addict off the original drugs. The addict needs a reliable proven program where when they are done, their drug addiction is a thing of the past and they are now able to live full productive lives free of the stronghold of drugs or alcohol.

Choosing a Drug Rehab and Addiction Treatment Program
What should the goal be of a drug rehab center? Clean and sober for 30 days? While that might be a good short term goal, many treatment centers and 12 step programs still leave the drug addict fighting a continuing battle with addiction. Once an addict always an addict; or it's a mental disorder they can do nothing about. When choosing a drug rehab center for yourself or a loved one from Edmond, Oklahoma, it is important to become educated on the different types of drug rehab and what the end results are. 

Should the Drug Rehab Location Matter When it Comes to Finding a Solution to Addiction?
Drug and alcohol addiction typically involves habitual routines in the environmental scope of the individual, i.e. the locations of their drug or alcohol use, the people they associated with in the activities of drug or alcohol use, etc. Drug or alcohol addiction is not just drug and alcohol use, it revolves around people and things in their immediate environment which help to trigger the addictive behavior. The abusers location & routines of drug and alcohol use further trigger drug and alcohol use. It is the constant and seemingly unstoppable drug or alcohol use and the hopelessness of day to day existence which perpetuates the problem and inhibits the native desire to stop ruining their life through the use of drugs and alcohol.

The above factor should not be over looked when considering a treatment center location. The first 2 weeks of treatment are always the most difficult & There many factors at work to make this so. In addition to what has been covered above, a more basic factor is this; people are creatures of habit.

Drug or alcohol addiction is not just drug and alcohol use, it revolves around people and things in their immediate environment which help to trigger the addictive behavior.

Even overwhelmingly positive & beneficial changes in life, such as the birth of a child or a new job does not guarantee the individual will have no thoughts of missing past negative activities such as, drug or alcohol use, drug or drinking acquaintances and other associated activities. Factually this is the normal reactive auto response of most human beings; to do what they are familiar with; good or bad. It is not really that they yearn for these things, it is just all that they have known for some time. If the abuser is close to home when overwhelming feelings manifest themselves, there is a good chance he or she will leave and get back to what they know, drug addiction, as it is not very far away . Due to these factors, attending a drug rehab close to home is seldom the correct treatment option for chronic drug or alcohol abusers. It is extremely therapeutic to be distanced from their former association with drug dealers, bars, the cabinet where the alcohol was kept, the cigar box where the cocaine was stored, etc. All these triggers make the task of sobriety seem insurmountable to the chronic drug or alcohol abuser as these triggers continuously stimulate a reminder of their past addictive behaviors.

For individuals with a severe drug or alcohol addiction problem, choosing a long term inpatient treatment program is another key to a successful outcome.

By providing a new, safe trigger free environment, distanced from past negative associations and surroundings for an extended period of time, the chance for success increases dramatically.

Our program provides people with positive circumstances to increase their chances for a successful recovery. The vast majority of students entering our program, around (80%), are from out of state or from other countries.

• Who has completed the Narconon drug rehab program;
• Who knows he is, in fact, capable of living a drug-free life thereafter;
• Who has improved his or her ability to learn and thus can accept new ideas on how to change life for the better;
• Who has personally absorbed the fundamentals of ethics and morality well enough that he or she can be productive and contributive to society and will have no further troubles with the justice system;
• Who knows how to solve the problems of life in a rational manner to the best of his ability, without the use of mind-altering drugs.