Substance abuse is a widespread and growing problem across the entire United States, and the state of Louisiana is no exception. Especially since the onset of the Covid - 19 pandemic, addiction and overdose rates continue to skyrocket - underscoring the urgent need for quality addiction rehabs in Louisiana. At Avenues, we understand the severity of this situation, and we strive constantly to make excellent addiction care as accessible as possible, to as many people as possible.
Alcohol Abuse in Louisiana
According to a recent report, 24.7% (or 142,000) of Louisiana residents between the ages of 12 and 20 reported alcohol use within the past month. In the Louisiana population under age 21, there were 113 alcohol-induced deaths and 6,832 years of potential life lost due to alcohol abuse. In a single year, 228,000 (or 6% of) Louisiana residents aged 12 and above reported that they had either used or were dependent on alcohol. In a four-year timespan, 238,000 (or 7.5% of) Louisiana residents were confirmed heavy drinkers. Altogether, 18.8% of Louisiana adults drink excessively.
Between 2019 and 2020, driving deaths caused by alcohol spiked by an alarming 8.9% in Louisiana, despite the fact that there were actually less drivers on the road due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nationally, 11,654 people were killed by alcohol-related crash deaths between 2019 and 2020, a statistic that hints at the ever-increasing substance abuse epidemic now ravaging America.
Despite these disturbing numbers, far too few alcoholics in Louisiana received the treatment they needed. In a four-year timespan, only 7.1 percent of Louisiana residents suffering from alcohol dependence actually admitted to rehab centers in Louisiana and received treatment.
Drug Abuse Statistics in Louisiana
Louisiana’s rich history and culture make it a popular tourist destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of adventure and recreation seekers each year. Its popularity, however, has contributed greatly to its flourishing drug and alcohol trade, with the masses of people passing through each year serving as both a convenient camouflage and a willing market for hungry drug dealers.
Specifically, the city of New Orleans and its port serve as a significant transportation hub and distribution point for the illegal substance trade. Thousands of pounds of drugs are smuggled illegally by the crews of container and cargo vessels docking at the Port of New Orleans, as well as through planes and small ships along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The contraband is then sold or further distributed by the multitude of drug dealers and street gangs in the area.
Over 130,000 people in Louisiana struggle with drug abuse or drug addiction. In the past year, 2.5% of adolescents (aged 12-17) and 2.9% of adults in Louisiana reported illegal drug use.
The most commonly abused drugs in Louisiana are:
- Marijuana - 6,022 people admitted into rehab in Louisiana in one year due to marijuana abuse/addiction
- Prescription Drugs - 3,324 people admitted into addiction rehab in Louisiana in one year for prescription opioid abuse/addiction.
- Cocaine - 3,798 people admitted into a Louisiana treatment center in one year for cocaine abuse/addiction.
- Heroin - 1,866 people admitted into a Louisiana rehab in one year for heroin abuse/ addiction.
- Amphetamines - 1,229 people admitted into an alcohol/ drug rehab in Louisiana in one year for amphetamine abuse/addiction.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Louisiana
What happens if you’re caught with drugs and alcohol in Louisiana? What are the Louisiana alcohol laws and the Louisiana weed laws?
In Louisiana law, drugs and alcohol - or “Controlled Dangerous Substances” - are classified into five schedules, depending on the danger, addiction liability, and possible medical use of each substance. These schedules are used to determine the penalties for possession and distribution of each substance.
Possession
Schedule I Substances
- Marijuana Offense - First and Second Violation: Up to 6 months of jail time and/ or up to $1,000 in fines
- Subsequent Violations: Felony Offense - Up to 8 years of jail time and/or up to $5,000 in fines
- Non-Marijuana Offense - Up to 10 years of jail time and/or $5,000 in fines
Schedule II Substances - Up to 5 years of jail time and/or up to $5,000 in fines (depending on the specific substance and amount involved)
- Possession of PCP can cause possible jail time to triple to up to 20 years
Schedule III Substances - Up to 5 years of jail time and/or up to $5,000 in fines
Schedule IV Substances - Up to 5 years of jail time and/or up to $5,000 in fines
- Possession of Flunitrazepam/ Rohypnol (without a medical prescription) can incur up to 40 years of jail time and up to $100,000 in fines.
Possession with Intent to Distribute
Possession with intent to distribute is a felony crime in Louisiana, and treated as such.
- Schedule I Substances - Up to 40 years of jail time with or without hard labor, and/or up to $50,000 in fines
- Schedule II Substances - Up to 20 years of jail time or without hard labor, and/or up to $50,000 in fines
- Schedule III Substances - Up to 10 years of jail time with or without hard labor and/or up to $15,000 in fines
- Schedule IV and V Substances - Up to 5 years of jail time and/or up to up to $5,000 in fines
Louisiana’s substance use laws reflect its stance on hot-button topics of today, such as medical marijuana use and workplace drug testing policies.
What are Louisiana’s marijuana laws? Medical marijuana is legal in Louisiana, but recreational use remains prohibited. Individuals with qualifying medical conditions can obtain cannabis through state-licensed dispensaries. However, despite the legality of medical marijuana, cannabis laws in Louisiana do not offer employment protections for users. This means employers can enforce zero-tolerance policies, even against medical marijuana patients, and take disciplinary action if an employee tests positive for marijuana, regardless of medical use. Louisiana weed laws definitely take a more old-school approach to this contentious topic.
As for drug testing, Louisiana drug testing laws allow employers to implement drug testing policies for both applicants and employees. However, the state imposes regulations ensuring testing procedures are fair. For example, Louisiana employers must follow protocols for specimen collection and analysis, and employees testing positive must be notified and given an opportunity to explain or contest the results. Additionally, in safety-sensitive industries, such as transportation or healthcare, drug testing is often mandatory. Louisiana drug testing laws also allow employers to conduct random drug tests, particularly for jobs where impaired cognition could pose safety risks.
If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction, reach out to Avenues Recovery today. Our exceptional rehab centers in Louisiana have helped thousands of people overcome their addictions and can help you too. Our top-notch staff, individualized treatment plans, and tight-knit community make us stand out as a leader in the rehab industry. Contact us today to begin your journey to recovery in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.