Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Pennsylvania
Statistics and Laws
Pennsylvania currently lays claim to some of the worst substance abuse statistics in America. Philadelphia, the fifth-largest city in the United States and the largest city in Pennsylvania, is the heart of all drug and alcohol - related trade and activity in the region, serving as a major distribution center and transshipment hub for illegal substances thanks to its excellent transportation infrastructure. This situation, combined with the ongoing national substance abuse epidemic, only highlights the need for high-quality drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Pennsylvania - a need that Avenues Recovery Center strives to meet each day.
Alcohol Addiction in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has been ranked among the top 20 U.S. states with the highest rates of alcohol abuse. 60% of Pennsylvania adults consume alcohol, 28% of Pennsylvania adults are binge drinkers, and 4% of Pennsylvania adults have a diagnosed alcohol addiction. In one year alone, there were 10,558 alcohol-related crashes on Pennsylvania roadways due to intoxicated drivers.
A statewide survey conducted in 2021 revealed that among Pennsylvanians aged 12 to 20, 258,000 (or 18.5%) reported alcohol use in the past month, and 160,000 (or 11.4%) reported binge drinking within the past month. The average age of first alcohol use was 16.2 years. Additionally, the survey found that among Pennsylvanians under age 21, there were 146 deaths and 8,717 potential years of life lost due to alcohol abuse in the year 2021 alone.
Drug Addiction in Pennsylvania
Aside from its soaring alcohol abuse statistics, Pennsylvania also suffers from worrisome drug use (and abuse) rates. In the past year, approximately 300,000 people - or 3.1% of Pennsylvanians - experienced a confirmed drug addiction in Pennsylvania. The abundant supply of illegal opioids (such as heroin, fentanyl, and counterfeit prescription pills) has impacted over 97% of the counties and towns in Pennsylvania. A huge amount of heroin is imported from Mexico through transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and the frightening practice of cutting heroin (and other drugs) with fentanyl has spread to Pennsylvania too and caused innumerable fatal overdoses.
The most commonly abused drugs in Pennsylvania are:
- Fentanyl/ Fentanyl analogs
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Marijuana
- Prescription Drugs
- Methamphetamines
- Synthetic Cannabinoids - (synthetic marijuana, fake weed, K2, spice etc.)
Overdose Rates in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has the third-highest opioid overdose rate among all U.S. states. Altogether, opioids have caused five times more overdoses in Pennsylvania than alcohol abuse. In 2021, there were 5,224 total reported overdose deaths (from all substances), which translates into an average of over 14 deaths per day. 85% of these overdose deaths were opioid-related, and of that 85%, 44% involved an additional stimulant (such as cocaine and meth). This statistic presents a 22% uptick in overdose deaths from 2019.
The following five Pennsylvania counties were reported to have the highest numbers of drug-related overdose deaths. For every 100,000 people, they experienced the following numbers of deaths:
- Fulton - 74.1 deaths
- Cambria - 65.4 deaths
- Beaver - 59.8 deaths
- Armstrong - 59.5 deaths
- Philadelphia - 59.4 deaths
Substance Abuse Laws and Policies in Pennsylvania
What happens if you’re caught with drugs and/ or alcohol in Pennsylvania?
The laws vary depending if the infraction is possession of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to distribute, or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Possession of a Controlled Substance
1st Offense = Misdemeanor; Up to 1 year of jail time / $5,000 fine, or both Subsequent Offense - Misdemeanor; Up to 3 years of jail time/ up to $25,000 in fines, or both.
Possession with the Intent to Deliver
Penalties depend on the drug in question and the defendant’s criminal record. Penalties can range from misdemeanor charges of up to 1 year of jail time to felony charges of up to 15 years of jail time, up to $250,000 in fines, or both.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Misdemeanor = Up to 1 year of jail time, up to $2,500 in fines, or both. Additional penalties may apply if the offender is caught delivering such paraphernalia to a minor.
DUI (Driving Under the Influence) Laws in Pennsylvania
In 2004, Pennsylvania lowered the legal BAC (blood alcohol content) of drivers from .10% to .08%. Pennsylvania also has a zero-tolerance law when it comes to underage drinking and driving. This means that for anyone under age 21, a BAC of .02% is sufficient grounds for prosecution. (For most people, even one drink will raise their BAC above .02%.)
The penalties for a DUI will depend on the BAC of the driver.
- Blood alcohol levels between .08% and .099% are categorized as a “General Impairment” in Pennsylvania, and can result in the following penalties:
Up to 2 years of jail time
Up to $5,000 in fines
Mandatory alcohol rehab
Up to a 1-year license suspension
Up to a 1-year ignition interlock (driver must use breathalyzer to turn on car)
- Blood alcohol levels between .10% and .159% are considered “High BAC” in Pennsylvania, and can result in the following penalties:
Up to 5 years of jail time
Up to $10,000 in fines
Mandatory alcohol rehab
Up to an 18 - month license suspension
A 1-year ignition interlock
- Blood alcohol levels measuring .16% or higher are called “Highest BAC” in Pennsylvania, and can result in the following penalties:
Up to 5 years of jail time
Up to $10,000 in fines
Mandatory alcohol rehab
Up to an 18 - month license suspension
A 1-year ignition interlock
Marijuana Laws in Pennsylvania
As of now, Pennsylvania has not legalized marijuana. Possession, sale, and transportation of any amount of marijuana (excluding medical marijuana) in Pennsylvania can result in serious penalties, as described below.
Possession 30 grams or under:
30 days in prison and/ or $500 in fines
Above 30 grams: First offense = 1 year in prison and/ or $5,000. Subsequent offenses = 3 years in prison and/ or $25,000 in fines
Sale
30 grams or under: 30 days in prison and/ or $500 fine
Above 30 grams: Felony charge = 2.5 to 5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine
