Alcohol and drug rehab centers in Austin operate at full throttle since not one person is unaffected by alcohol anddrug abuse in Austin. Austin drug rehab centers along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reportalcohol and substance abuse in Austin becoming more of a problem. Austin is the capital of Texas and home to theUniversity of Texas which brings increased drug and alcohol abuse and the need for treatment. With this diversepopulation and being a college town, drug and alcohol treatment in Austin is as varied as its residents.
Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, Austin is the fourth-largest city in Texasand the third-fastest-growing large city in the nation from 2000 to 2006 with a population of 786,386. As a generalrule of thumb, approximately ten percent of the population has an alcohol or drug abuse problem that wouldrequire treatment in a drug rehab in Austin.
Alcohol and substance abuse in Austin is a devastating societal illness that is almost overwhelming when all of thealcohol and drug abuse statistics are investigated. 46% of all traffic fatalities in Austin involve alcohol. 71% of allTexas high school report alcohol abuse at least once in their lives. Alcohol addiction treatment is a hot commodity in Texas and Austin is no different.
The 2005-2007 Austin Independent School District's Substance Use Safety Survey reports eighth graders cite morefrequent alcohol abuse (24%) than their statewide peers (23% ) Alcohol abuse Austin is a major problem amongjuvenile's and adults . There were over 3200 liquor law violations, 3700 public intoxications and 6132 DWI's inTravis County in and around Austin. (Source: Travis County Website)
Meth addiction and drug rehab admissions are increasing with the numerous clandestine methamphetamine labsoperating in Austin. Most of these labs are small, mobile pseudoephedrine labs that produce small amounts fordistribution in the local area. The methamphetamine in the Austin area is coming in from surrounding Bastrop,Caldwell and Hays Counties. Meth is being sold for $90 per gram, and methamphetamine drug abusers arereported to be centered in Williamson County and North Austin. Methamphetamine addiction treatment accounts for a large percentage of Austin drug rehab and addictiontreatment admissions.
Cocaine addiction treatment is the second biggest drug problemfor Austin drug rehab centers. Mexican drug traffickers and local drug gangs ensure ample supplies. Cocaineis consistently abundant with an ounce of powder cocaine costing $500$600/ounce in Austin. Crack cocaine isreported to be plentiful, however, the quality of crack cocaine in Austin is low since it is being cut and re-cut withbaking soda.
In Austin, heroin shooting galleries in the Montopolis area are reported to have disappeared as long-term heroinaddicts and users have either died, are in prison or have moved out of the area to avoid harassment from thepolice. Despite this, there is a need for heroin addiction treatment for drug rehabcenters in Austin as heroin is plentiful in the Montopolis area and three to four balloons of pure heroin sell for $25or less. Austin drug rehab counselors and law enforcement intelligence report that both black tar and Mexicanbrown heroin is available in Austin. (Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy)
Recent Law Enforcement intelligence indicates that prices for hydroponic marijuana in Austin are quite highreaching the $4,000 a pound range. Commercial grade marijuana is abundant in Austin and sells for about tenpercent of hydroponic marijuana. (Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy) More and more alcohol anddrug rehabilitation centers in Austin are seeing people enter treatment for marijuana addiction treatment at alarming rates. Texas drug rehab centers report thatmarijuana is the second most abused drug in Texas.
Ecstasy is available in downtown Austin nightclubs and its use remains stable. The primary source for the drug isCanada, but ecstasy also comes into the area from Mexico. Further data indicates the availability of LSD in Austin aswell.