San Benito County CA Addiction Treatment Hotline

San Benito County CA Substance Abuse Statistics

San Benito County, California is a region that has been significantly affected by substance abuse. The county’s substance abuse statistics have been a cause of concern for its residents and officials. This essay aims to provide an analytical overview of the substance abuse statistics in San Benito County, CA. It will also examine the factors contributing to substance abuse in the region and the impact that substance abuse has on individuals and the community.

San Benito County is a region with a diverse population, including children of different ages, gender, and race/ethnicity. According to a report by the KidsData, the county has a child population of over 17,000, with Hispanic/Latino children being the largest ethnic group [1]. Unfortunately, the region has experienced a significant increase in drug overdose deaths since 2014, with deaths from fentanyl becoming a new factor [2]. Additionally, underage drinking has been linked to risky health behaviors such as unsafe sexual practices, injuries, and impaired cognitive functioning [3]. These statistics reveal the pressing need for interventions to combat substance abuse in San Benito County.

Various factors contribute to substance abuse in San Benito County. Poverty has been found to be associated with self-identification of substance abuse-related problems among those who report using illicit drugs [4]. Additionally, studies have shown that mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder contribute to substance use and substance use disorders [6]. Substance abuse prevention and treatment programs should consider these factors to ensure that they are addressing the root causes of substance abuse in the county [5].

Substance abuse has a significant impact on individuals and the community in San Benito County. Fentanyl, a potent opioid drug, has caused overdose and death, highlighting the need for urgent interventions to prevent drug abuse and overdose deaths [7]. Furthermore, parental substance use disorders disrupt attachment, rituals, roles, routines, communication, social life, and finances, negatively impacting family relationships [8]. Substance abuse treatment has been found to reduce medical care expenditures, primarily Medicaid expenses, for individuals with general medical conditions [9]. These findings underscore the importance of investing in substance abuse prevention and treatment programs that can reduce the negative impact of substance abuse on individuals and the community.

References

1. Summary: San Benito County. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from www.kidsdata.org/region/355/san-benito-county/summary
2. San Benito County opioid deaths increased in 2021. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from benitolink.com
3. Alcohol/Drug Use in Past Month, by Race/Ethnicity. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from www.kidsdata.org/topic/588/alcohol-drug-race/table
4. Socioeconomic Disparities and Self-reported Substance …. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6494986/
5. Risky Substance Use Environments and Addiction: A New …. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924064/
6. Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from www.nimh.nih.gov
7. Opioid overdoses on the Rise in San Benito County. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from benitolink.com
8. The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Families and …. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3725219/
9. The Effect of Substance Abuse Treatment on Medicaid …. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2024, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2690254/