Michigan is a state that struggles with drug abuse and addiction. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 10.37% of Michigan residents reported using illicit drugs in the past month, higher than the national average of 8.82%. Additionally, 3.77% of Michigan residents reported using an illicit drug other than marijuana in the past month, also higher than the national average of 3.6%. But which city in Michigan has the worst drug problem?
Detroit: The Drugs Capital of Michigan
According to a report by WalletHub, a personal finance website, Detroit is the drugs capital of Michigan and the second-worst city in the country for drug abuse and addiction. The report ranked 182 U.S. cities based on 18 indicators of drug use and addiction, such as overdose deaths, arrests, treatment facilities, and drug-related health issues.
Detroit scored poorly on almost every indicator, ranking first for the highest percentage of adults who used illicit drugs in the past month, second for the highest percentage of adults who needed but did not receive treatment for illicit drug use in the past year, and third for the highest number of opioid prescriptions per capita. Detroit also had the highest drug overdose death rate in Michigan, with 50.5 deaths per 100,000 population in 2021, more than double the state average of 24.4 .
The Causes and Consequences of Detroit’s Drug Problem
Detroit’s drug problem is not a new phenomenon. The city has a long history of drug trafficking and violence, dating back to the 1970s when the heroin trade was dominated by gangs such as the Young Boys Incorporated and the Chambers Brothers. In the 1980s and 1990s, crack cocaine became the drug of choice, fueling a surge in homicides and robberies. In the 2000s, prescription opioids and heroin took over, followed by the emergence of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil, which are more potent and deadly than heroin.
Detroit’s drug problem is also linked to its social and economic challenges, such as poverty, unemployment, crime, racial segregation, and urban decay. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Detroit had a poverty rate of 30.6% in 2021, the highest among large U.S. cities.
The unemployment rate was 9.3% in September 2021, well above the national average of 4.8%. The crime rate was 1,965 per 100,000 population in 2021, the second-highest among U.S. cities with more than 100,000 population. The population of Detroit has declined from 1.8 million in 1950 to 670,000 in 2021, leaving behind thousands of vacant and blighted buildings.
Detroit’s drug problem has devastating consequences for its residents and communities. Drug abuse and addiction can lead to physical and mental health problems, such as overdose, HIV, hepatitis, depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
Drug abuse and addiction can also impair one’s ability to work, study, and maintain relationships, resulting in lower productivity, lower income, and lower quality of life. Drug abuse and addiction can also contribute to crime, violence, and corruption, undermining public safety and social order.
The Solutions and Resources for Detroit’s Drug Problem
Detroit’s drug problem is not hopeless. There are solutions and resources available to prevent and treat drug abuse and addiction, and to reduce the harm and stigma associated with drug use. Some of the solutions and resources include:
- Prevention programs that educate and empower youth, families, and communities about the risks and consequences of drug use, and that promote healthy and positive alternatives to drug use, such as sports, arts, and volunteering.
- Treatment programs that provide evidence-based and individualized care for people with drug use disorders, and that address their physical, psychological, and social needs, such as medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and peer support.
- Harm reduction programs that reduce the negative impacts of drug use on individuals and society, such as needle exchange, naloxone distribution, and supervised consumption sites.
- Recovery programs that support people who have overcome drug use disorders, and that help them reintegrate into society, such as recovery housing, employment services, and mutual aid groups.
Some of the organizations and agencies that offer these solutions and resources in Detroit include:
- The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN), which is the public behavioral health system for Detroit and Wayne County, and which provides prevention, treatment, and recovery services for people with mental health and substance use disorders.
- The Detroit Recovery Project (DRP), which is a non-profit organization that provides peer recovery support services, such as recovery coaching, mentoring, transportation, and referrals, for people in recovery from substance use disorders.
- The Detroit Health Department (DHD), which is the public health agency for Detroit, and which provides harm reduction services, such as syringe access, naloxone distribution, and HIV and hepatitis testing and treatment, for people who use drugs.
Conclusion
Detroit is the drugs capital of Michigan and one of the worst cities in the country for drug abuse and addiction. Detroit’s drug problem is rooted in its history, culture, and socio-economic conditions, and has serious implications for its health, economy, and security. However, Detroit’s drug problem is not insurmountable. There are solutions and resources available to help people prevent, treat, and recover from drug abuse and addiction, and to create a safer and healthier Detroit for everyone.